Looking beyond bad matric results

For matriculants of 2015, 2016 is a year of new beginnings towards future careers and adult lives.

However, for some, this week will bring disappointing results.

With their dreams dashed, those who did not make the cut, will have to re-evaluate their plans for 2016.

Despite the devastating news that one’s results might not be as good as expected, it is important to realise bad results are not the end of the world and there are still options for getting back on track.

“Below par matric results do not mean you have to give up on your dreams and aspirations. In fact, if handled maturely and pragmatically, a disappointing performance could be just the catalyst needed to propel a pupil in a new and better direction, with more determination and resolve than before. As the saying goes, one should never let a good crisis go to waste,” said Dr Felicity Coughlan, Director of The Independent Institute of Education, South Africa’s largest private higher education institution.

Dr Coughlan said it was imperative that parents, guardians and other caregivers ensured they positively supported pupils during this difficult time, as they may be facing a number of concerns, such as not being able to get into the higher education institution they expected, having to choose a different course, having to write supplementary exams, or even having to repeat the year.

Many will also be facing an emotional struggle of having disappointed themselves and others.

“There are still many options available, but it is imperative that proper research into all these options be conducted.”

Dr Coughlan explained the available options included opportunities in the public or private sector, different degrees or diplomas, a higher certificate instead of a degree as a stepping stone, volunteer work opportunities or part-time study, second semester registrations, supplementary exams or redoing the school year in a more supportive environment.

“Firstly, adults should assist disappointed pupils to get the poor results into perspective. This is often best done by plotting all the options that are still available and weighing them up against each other,” she advised.

Dr Coughlan said it was easier for pupils to be motivated when facing options, than without any options.

She suggested parents, caregivers and pupils, who suspected things were not going to turn out as well as hoped, begin to look for alternatives so that if the disappointment does happen, options can be put on the table sooner rather than later.

Options available to pupils who did not do as well as they hoped, include:

Writing supplementary exams

Not everyone will qualify for supplementary exams, but if they do, they should definitely register and do their very best to pass.

Check with your school whether you qualify, and then go all out these next few weeks in ensuring that you spend as much time as possible behind your books.

Repeating the year
While repeating matric might not a happy prospect for anyone, it could be an exciting second chance if you go about it differently the next time round.

For instance you might choose to do some part-time work while being enrolled in a distance learning course, or you could choose to attend a different institution that specialises in rewriting.  Many will even allow you to change your subjects.

Enrolling at a different higher education institution

South Africa has only one quality assurance system, which means that private institutions and public universities are subjected to the same registration and accreditation checks and balances.

So, if your marks mean that you pass but are unable to go to your institution of first choice, have a look around.

There are some fantastic and often more work-oriented options available out there that you might not even have considered.

Choose a different course
Perhaps a higher certificate is the stepping stone you need to be accepted into the course of your choice.

Perhaps there is a completely different direction you can tackle, one you were not aware of before. Again, do your research and do it thoroughly.

Speak to the people in the industry you want to enter, and have a look around to see which institutions produce industry leaders.

Decide to keep going, even if things are unclear
While it might seem cliché, it does not matter how many times you fall, it matters only how many times you stand up.

This is painful and disappointing, but it is only a catastrophe if you don’t stand up and face your problems. This can be no more than a temporary setback and can in fact be a character and strength-building exercise.

Do not let the year go to waste. If full-time study or a return to school feels like too much, or you do not have the funds to do this,  at least enrol for a short course which can keep you growing and keep you in the habit of learning.

Sometimes all that is needed is one or two small successes to realise that you are more than capable.  Everyone fails sometimes. Successful people learn from their failures.