Matrics – what to do if you don’t do well

The class of 2014 has hung up their blazers and packed away their schoolbooks — all that now remains is the nail-biting period between the end of the final exams and the release of results.

While some may be certain they performed at their very best, many others have to deal with the realisation that they may not have performed well enough to pass or qualify for their chosen field of study.

“This is traditionally a harrowing period for matriculants, who feel that under-performance could sound the death-knell for their hopes, dreams and aspirations,” said Dr Felicity Coughlan, director of The Independent Institute of Education, SA’s largest and most accredited private higher education provider.

“These pupils now need all the emotional guidance and support they can get from those around them, particularly as it is essential that they regain a sense of perspective.”

Coughlan added that although disappointment, anger and anxiety may characterise the first responses following unsatisfactory results, the sooner people are able to move to a solution in the face of disappointment, the quicker solutions – which do exist – will be identified.

“Given enough space and support, most young people will regain a sense of control when they are able to make a rational decision about how to proceed,” she said.

“And as there are, indeed, a number of possibilities for pupils to pursue if they did not do as well as they hoped, this decision is not as elusive as it initially feels.”

According to Coughlan, some students have successfully combined some of the following options:

• Writing supplementary exams:

“Here, consultation with the school is best, as there are very limited circumstances under which these are available for matriculants, but where they do exist, they must obviously be leveraged,” she explained.

“Many institutions will accept students provisionally if they are eligible for a supplementary examination, but succeeding in that examination is then required for them to remain registered.”

• Repeating the year:

“Where the gap between what you want to do and how well you did is so big that the doors are all closed repeating the year is an option,” Coughlan said.

“There are things to take into consideration, though; now may be the time to be realistic about your own ability to achieve the goal you set.

“In my case, for instance, no matter how much I wanted to, I was never going to be able to do well enough in maths to be an engineer.

“The second thing is to understand that if you are going to repeat the year, you must know exactly what you need to achieve.

“It may be prudent to redo everything, but on the other hand perhaps smarter to ‘bank’ the few excellent marks you did get.

“Be clinical and analytical in mapping what you need.

“The third thing is to think about where and how you are going to repeat.

“Depending on your age and school policy, you could return to the school you have just left; or you could enrol full or part-time in a school focused on either matric or the last few years of schooling.

“Alternatively, you could enrol as a distance student and study alone, with a tutor or online.

“Or you could consider a combination.

“Once again – it is about doing your homework.”

• Consider another higher education institution:

Coughlan said that if pupils did not do well enough to be accepted for their chosen studies at their preferred institution, they should examine all the other options out there.

“These should include both private and public institutions.

“Remember that South Africa has only one quality assurance system, so if you enrol at a registered and accredited institution, there are lots of options still open in the private sector, which may suit you even better in terms of the level of focus and student support you will receive.

“It is important to find the right fit, so visit the campuses and speak to current and former students, and do some online investigation to determine whether you like what you see,” she said.

• Consider a different course or part-time study:

While it may be too late to register at a public institution, private institutions often continue to accept enrolments if they have space left, and they generally offer a range of exciting degree, diploma and certificate courses.

“Full qualifications are, however, not your only option,” Coughlan noted.

“You may also want to look at focused training or short courses.

“Exploring something different now that your first choice door seems closed permanently or temporarily, opens up a new range of possibilities.

“Again, do some online research and see what else is out there.

“It may be a pleasant surprise which leads you to your true calling.”

• Consider volunteer or other work opportunities:

It may well be that you need to spend the year working — perhaps while studying part-time.

“Opportunities to volunteer at community-based organisations — full or part-time depending on your personal circumstances — should also be considered,” Coughlan said.

“Sometimes not doing as well as you had hoped has the biggest impact on your self-confidence.

“Giving something back to the community is one sure-fire way to regain a sense of purpose and to recognise that this only has to be a temporary setback,” Coughlan said.