matric exams

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Unhappy with your matric results? Don’t worry, you still have plenty of options

Didn’t get what you wanted? No stress. The world is still very much your oyster

matric exams

File photo

For many students, receiving their matric results is the best day of the year. It unlocks the door to potential future endeavours, and crowns a young lifetime of learning with palpable results.

However, things don’t go to plan for everyone. Though much of the media focus will be on the ‘top achievers’, they only represent a select few students whose exams went perfectly. Millions of young South Africans will still be disappointed with their results, depending on what they wanted to achieve.

So if you’re a matriculant wondering what to do with yourself because you didn’t get what you wanted, we need to stress something to you: This is not the end of the world. You have so many options going forward. And, most importantly, you are not alone on this one…

What to do if my matric results were disappointing?

If you’ve missed out on what you wanted by fine margins, then there’s no need to panic. The choices you have at your disposal keep you firmly in control of your own destiny.

  • Retake some exams

There are caveats for this. If you’ve failed no more than two subjects, you are eligible for a resit on the grounds that you were ill at the time (which may require a medical certificate), or that you should be allowed an exemption for personal matters or a death in the family. This is all part of the government’s ‘second chance’ programme.

  • Get your test remarked

Is there a certain subject that you know you deserved a better result from? Well, it’s totally possible to have your exam reviewed. After receiving your results, you can register with your school or local district office to have your paper remarked. That comes with a R92 charge, and by no means guarantees an improvement.

  • What is a bridging course?

This is one of the more popular options for matriculants looking to improve their results. A bridging course is a short period of learning you can undertake in the summer, through your school or another local education venue.

A bridging course literally helps you prove that you have ‘bridged the gap’ in your knowledge, and completion can result in an upgrade of your final marks, or even lead to a ‘pre-degree’ certification. Now wouldn’t that look good on a university application?

  • Re-apply for other universities

If you haven’t met the requirements to get into your preferred uni, that doesn’t mean your door to tertiary education is closed. Other universities may still take you on, as the minimum criteria for applicants varies between different institutions. Handling rejection well will prove your resilience to other prospective universities.

What to do if I failed matric?

If your matric was a struggle, it is not a tragedy. There are plenty of routes you can take that don’t require your name and grades on a piece of paper.

  • Look into jobs that don’t feature on the curriculum

Health and beauty, accountancy and business management are all areas you can go on to study further without an outstanding matric record. None of these vocations are covered in grade school, and can be a real open door if your attitude is right.

  • Resit the school year

Yeah, we know this one won’t be very popular. But it is mightily effective. It may be tough to accept the proposition of an entire extra year at school, but one year of your life is nothing when it could propel you into a brighter future.

  • Volunteer your services to local businesses

If you aren’t keen on staying in education, and finding work is hard to come by, consider volunteering in a field you’d be interested to work in. Contact local businesses with offers to work for free in order to gain some experience. This is the best possible time to work for free, and if you apply yourself honestly, you’ll be rewarded.

Helplines and advice for matric students in need

For anyone who is struggling to cope with their final marks, there is always hope, and always help. The South Africa Depression and Anxiety Group have counsellors manning the phones from 08:00 – 20:00, seven days a week, as well as a 24-hour hotline. In extreme situations, SADAG have a hotline for those feeling suicidal:

Call a counsellor: 011 234 4837
24 hour helpline: 0800 12 13 14
Suicidal emergency: 0800 567 567

Tips for parents with matric students

Parents are encouraged to be wholly supportive, no matter the result or expectations placed on their child. That would include creating an environment where a child feels comfortable enough to talk honestly about their exams.

Parents are also required to look for positives, and acknowledge any degrees of hard work and effort. Caregivers should also keep an eye out for low or depressive moods, changes in eating habits, and energy levels. Are your children as active as before? Are they sleeping normally? Do they enjoy all the same things they used to?

Many matriculants will be trying to cope with disappointment, amid colleagues who have enjoyed riotous success with their exams. Whatever you’ve achieved, please remain humble and considerate to your friends and classmates. There’s nothing worse than having to hide sorrow, so be kind to each other.