Matric is just the start of a journey

WHILE some matriculants are celebrating their achievements, many others are disappointed with their results, and confused about what comes next.

But this is not the end of the road, says Mariska Pienaar, counselling psychologist and lecturer at the University of the Western Cape’s psychology department.

“It is easy to develop a kind of ‘tunnel vision’ around matric results and the implications thereof,” Pienaar said. “Should pupils not have achieved the desired outcomes, however, there are many options open to them.”

The first port of call is to consider improving matric results. For a few extra marks, you can apply to the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) to have your exam script re-marked at a cost of R105 per script.

You may qualify to write a maximum of two supplementary exams if you need to improve those marks, you were ill or had a death in the family during your exams. The deadline to apply is January 22.

If you need to improve your results drastically, you could repeat your matric year.

If you were not accepted into your top choice tertiary course, remember there are plenty of other options.

“Despite popular opinion, a university degree is not necessarily the be-all and end-all of tertiary education,” Pienaar said. A college certificate or university of technology diploma can be easier to get acceptance into, and also provide great career opportunities.

“Consider doing supplementary courses which would strengthen your skills in a particular area and possibly advance your chances of gaining entry into the institution of your choice.”

As a parent, the best support you can give your child is to remain positive and equip yourself with information about their options.

“Parents may be disappointed and anxious if their child did not achieve the desired outcomes in their matric exams,” Pienaar said. “Parents should, however, focus on remaining supportive, and arm themselves with information around alternative routes.”

Academic and head of teaching and research on school governance, management, leadership and policy at Stellenbosch University, Professor Jonathan Jansen, has this advice for first-year students: “My advice is to not take your school exam results too seriously and understand that you will have to study harder than ever to gain the depth of knowledge and the criticality of thinking to be able to succeed at university. The little tricks that enabled you to get through school – like repetitive learning – will not serve you well at university.”

Candidates and parents who are concerned can phone the WCED’s Safe Schools Call Centre if they need to talk about any anxiety they may be feeling: 0800 454647.