2020 Achievers Results
After an exhausting roller coaster of a year, this is what the Class of 2020 has learnt along the way. There is no doubt that last year was a challenging time for many. The matric Class of 2020 in particular was forced to adjust and re-adjust again, finding new ways to learn and maintain their academic performances. This feature is filled with helpful articles to further the success of our achievers. We salute the Class of 2020!
What was your biggest lesson of 2020?
Five safe ways to celebrate your matric results
Aneesa Adams
aneesa.adams@caxton.co.za
The Covid-19 pandemic has put a halt on all celebrations, including the matric results for 2020. While it is a great achievement and needs all the joy, it has to be done in a responsible manner to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Here are five alternative ways to mark this special occasion:
Tip:1 Give back and count your blessings – celebrations this year can be a little different. With everything that has been going on in the world one should count their blessings and give back. Visit an orphanage, an old age home or even adopt a pet in need. The Sandton SPCA has some furry friends looking for a forever home. The Lighthouse Baby Shelter in Randburg has babies who need some love and June’s Haven retirement home in Fourways is full of old and wise individuals who would love to hear your matric stories – all following Covid-19 regulations of course.
Tip:2 Host a virtual party – gather round (your laptops) and have a house party with all your classmates. Although it may not be the same as the real thing, finding a way to come together and honor one another is what counts. Zoom meetings are all the rage right now, but the House Party app is more fun and celebratory, giving you that excited feeling.
Tip:3 Send a congratulatory gift to your fellow matriculants – sending your salutations through a sweet treat or special gift can definitely set the happy mood. Get some unique badges made and support a local business in the area or even take some time to bake your own little cupcakes for that extra special touch. Not everything has to involve alcohol.
Tip:4 Take a hike in the northern suburbs – take a deep breath and take in the fact that you’re now an official adult. Become one with nature, gather your friends and take a hike in the Melville Koppies. The Wilds on Houghton Drive has some great scenic views and a library box for some light reading to think about future plans.
Tip:5 Create a Class of 2020 music playlist and share it – music makes the world of difference in almost any situation. Why not create a special Spotify playlist and share it with your mates? Open up the House Party app and have a dance party!
What was your biggest lesson of 2020?
Sadag reminds learners that there is always hope
Sarah Koning
sarahk@caxton.co.za
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag), which is based in Rivonia, reminded matric learners that there was always hope and there were always options, despite disappointing matric results.
Sadag operations director Cassey Chambers said, “For matrics, with results that perhaps they weren’t expecting [maybe they failed, got lower marks for subjects, failed a subject or didn’t get that university exemption] they might feel disappointed, frustrated, embarrassed, ashamed, upset or stressed. It is so important to remember that there are so many options – options to redo certain subjects, applying for supplementary exams, doing bridging courses to get a university exemption, etc. “Whatever the results are, it is not the last resort… Go gentle on yourself – take it easy, be kind to yourself – it is going to be okay.”
Chambers encouraged disappointed matric leavers to talk to someone about what they were feeling and discuss ideas and options.
Chambers said life could be very stressful for teens and many adults forget that. Psychologist Candice Cowen said, “When speaking to your teen, don’t offer shallow or simple solutions, or tell them that there is no reason to be feeling a certain way.” Cowen advised that matrics be given a safe space to voice their worries as well as their expectations. “Really listen to them and make it clear that they are loved, valued and supported no matter what their results are,” said Cowen.
Chambers said it was important for parents to reflect on the expectations they have placed on their teens and assess whether they were fair or realistic. Parents also needed to consider whether they have asked their teen about their own dreams and expectations.
Chambers said it was normal to feel a range of negative emotions if expectations were not met. “It is okay not to be okay right now… but when these feelings start to last for a couple of weeks, and start to impact your daily functioning [sleeping, eating etc.] then it is important to seek help.”
Some signs that your teen may be stressed include irritability, getting sick more often, changes in behaviour and trouble sleeping.
Chambers reassured matrics that there was always light at the end of the tunnel. “Many very successful people have had different paths and journeys to lead them to their success stories – the matric results are just a stepping stone for the next part of the learner’s journey. It is not the end.”
Sadag has counsellors available 24/7 to help chat through feelings of anxiety and loneliness. “Speaking to a Sadag counsellor is a safe space and it is more important that they speak to someone.” The National Department of Education can be contacted for support and advice on matric results on 080 020 2933 or via WhatsApp on 063 696 7246.
Call Sadag on their toll-free helpline on 080 056 7567 or SMS 31393.
Different avenues to fund your studies
Does a university degree still open global doors?
Amid mounting tuition fees and a global pandemic, parents and students may be reconsidering the value of a higher education.
With Covid-19 closing campuses and moving lectures online, the high cost of a university degree may seem hard to justify in the current economic climate.
However, as the job market becomes increasingly competitive, a degree from a top university can help young South Africans stand out from the crowd, setting them on the path to graduate level jobs and higher incomes.
“The value of a university education goes beyond the degree itself. Additional benefits include peers who bring their own rich experiences and perspectives to campus; high-calibre staff; and a global network of alumni connections and employment opportunities,” said Rebecca Pretorius, country manager at global mentorship company Crimson Education in Rosebank.
Despite an uncertain application year, during which students faced a number of Covid-19-related challenges, global admission trends show an increase in applicants competing for places at top universities abroad.
“The increase in global admissions highlights the already high value of a world-class education. At the same time, it also demonstrates the necessity for students to differentiate themselves, especially in the current and post-pandemic economy,” added Pretorius.
With Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdown causing businesses around the world to downscale, those entering the job market for the very first time will be competing for fewer jobs overall.
“In many cases, a bachelor’s degree is now considered to be a basic requirement across the board, especially in the fields of science and business. South Africans wanting to start a career abroad will need to consider how they can appeal to employers, many of whom historically hire graduates of top universities.”
“For those wanting to pursue specialist degrees and professions, such as medicine, applicants will face even more competition when it comes to securing admission to a top university. With Covid-19 demonstrating the importance of medicine, more and more young people are working towards making a difference.
“South African students will find a lot of value in earning a university degree, whether from a top local or international university.
“Moving to study abroad offers the added opportunity to travel, to learn about new people and cultures first-hand, and set up professional networks that will help you get hired after graduation. Although the future is uncertain, it’s worth investing in now more than ever.”
Through a team mentorship model, learners connect with admission strategists and tutors to assist them with the complex application process for overseas universities.
Details: For more information, visit
www.crimsoneducation.org/za.
What was your biggest lesson of 2020?
Inexpensive gap year ideas to try after school
There could be a number of reasons why a youngster has decided to take a gap year after they have finished school. Regardless of your reason, here are some ways to make it a productive and fulfilling year.
1. Find a part-time job – If you aren’t sure if you would like to further your studies or are saving up funds for your education, a part-time job is a great way to gain work experience and make extra money at the
same time. Jobs such as bartending, waitressing or au-pairing could be an ideal choice to make extra money as well as working flexible hours.
2. Volunteer – Volunteering during your gap year is a great opportunity
to help others and it will look great on your CV. Depending on your
interests and strengths, you could choose an organisation that best
suits you.+++
3. Provide freelance work – There are a number of websites where you
can offer freelance work. Websites such as Upwork or Fiverr have
clients looking for a number of different services. Find options that work to your strengths and charge for your services online.
4. Travel – While travelling might be difficult during the pandemic, as
cases begin to decrease you could take the opportunity to discover
more of our beautiful South Africa.
5. Take online courses – Attending a university isn’t the only way to
gain knowledge. If you have an idea of what you would like to do, find
some course online. These could be more cost-effective and less time consuming while still allowing you to learn. Try websites such as Udemy or Coursera to find classes in a field you would like to pursue.
Information sourced from: GVI South Africa
Tips for writing your CV which could help you land a dream job
Starting the job hunt can be an intimidating process for youngsters fresh out of school. Here are some tips to make sure your CV gives you the best possible opportunity:
• Make sure you only include relevant information – If your CV is multiple pages long and filled with details that aren’t relevant to your desired field, consider shortening it and highlighting only the most relevant info.
• Take the time to tailor your CV to a specific employer – While it might be tempting to send your CV out to dozens of companies and recruiters, try to tailor your CV based on what specific employers are looking for.
• Make sure you keep it factual – While it may be tempting to embellish some parts of your CV, you run the risk of your employer finding out something is false.
• Focus on keywords – If you find a job description that you feel is relevant to you, try to include some of those key words in your CV as well.
• Double check your work – Make sure you put your best foot forward
by making sure you check your CV for any errors.
• Make it presentable – Spend some time making sure your CV is
easy to read and concise. Use bullet points where necessary and
avoid rambling about specific skills or your experience.
Information sourced from: Career Junction.
Want to break into the business world?
In Joburg North there are many opportunities for budding entrepreneurs to make money from good business ideas.
You might want to start your own business when leaving school or even start while you are still studying.
Finding ways to attract customers to one’s business is important said Hirsch’s executive director, Margaret Hirsch and top business coach Marlene Powell. Marketing and communications specialist, Dimakatso Moloantoa explained that the first area of marketing that entrepreneurs should look at right now was social media.
“Be consistent. Post three times a week. Put some inspiration out there, make people laugh.” She explained that the different social media platforms targeted different age and gender groups, with Twitter being more popular with millennials and men, Instagram (a visual platform) targeting a wider range of age groups – but mostly women, Facebook targeting a broader age group and Linked in, specifically business. She said company websites were particularly important as they showcased the business.
A regular market research strategy was also vital she said. “You need to find out where your target audience is looking. “You need to have the right processes in place and make sure your branding is on point as it is vital for what you are selling.” Powell, who last year won the ActionMAN award (Africa) from ActionCOACH Global and an award from ActionCOACH SA for having the most testimonials, said there was no reason for businesses to fail if one kept up the conversation with customers.
Focus on those things you have control over
As South Africa entered the new year, it quickly became clear that 2021 would not represent a return to the normal we knew before the pandemic, and that the country, like the rest of the world, would continue living with ongoing uncertainties for at least the near future.
Peter Kriel, the general manager at The Independent Institute of Education said, “There is much that is outside all of our control right now. But there is still much that is within our control.”
He added that there were still many unknowns about the year, and the only constant one could bargain on during these times was change.
“However, waiting things out until normal returns one day is not an option. “The world continues despite the challenges we continue to face, and there are things you can do to continue on your personal and professional journey to ensure you are not left behind.”
Kriel said one of the most important things the Grade 12 learners of 2020 could do was to review their plans for the year and ensure that they would be able to continue on their chosen path, regardless of any new and unforeseen circumstances that may arise.
“So, if you have signed up to study somewhere, you can use these coming weeks to make sure that your institution will be able to continue seamlessly in the event of, for instance, another hard lockdown. “The way to determine this is to ask an institution about their readiness and ability to quickly adapt their offering to a hybrid or online model.
“Additionally, you should not just take an institution’s word for it, but also speak to students who experienced last year’s response. You need to ask questions to determine whether students last year were able to continue their learning journey seamlessly, whether they got the support they needed to do so effectively, and whether the learning was adapted in such a way that they continued to be engaged.”
Kriel added that on-campus education was the preferred and most effective way to learn for many young people and it had strong advantages in terms of outcomes.
“So, if you want the campus experience don’t give up on that aim now, look for an in-contact institution that can move between online and face-to-face as circumstances change. “For some students, distance education is a great alternative, but it is not right for everyone, it is a mistake to think that in current times it is a direct swop for contact.
“If contact is what you want, make sure your institution can move between the two so you can have the benefit of contact with lecturers and classmates in person when the pandemic allows.”
Kriel added that the matric learners of the Class of 2020 who have not yet decided on their plans for the year should seriously consider approaching an institution to talk through their options rather than leaving it too late. “Our world has changed forever and is becoming more and more competitive all the time, with technology constantly developing and giving rise to new and exciting career paths.
“Instead of waiting for your results and attempting to get clarity thereafter, use this time to contact respected registered and accredited institutions that have shown themselves to be up to the task during 2020, and speak to a student advisor about your options.”
What was your biggest lesson of 2020?
