Grade 9 pupils are preparing to enter their final phase of schooling next year and will be expected to select subjects that will see them through to matric. This is an important decision that should not be left to the last minute and should already be top of mind for pupils who want to give themselves the best chance for success in Grade 12.
Nola Payne, Head of Faculty: Information at The Independent Institute of Education (IIE) notes that this is one of the first opportunities pupils of this age will have to practise strategic decision-making that will have a major impact on their lives.
“It should be looked at as an exciting first step into their future as adults and also a valuable learning tool,” she said.
Below are some tips and guidelines that can help pupils make this all important decision:
Grade 9: Don’t leave subject choice for the last minute:
“Towards the end of the year, Grade 9-pupils will be given the opportunity to select which subjects they will take in their last three years of school and be tested on during the National Senior Certificate Exams in 2019,” said Ms Payne.
“It is an exceptionally hard choice to make, and many factors need to be taken into consideration.”
These choices will have a profound impact on the qualifications to which pupils will have access to, and as a result, the careers they will be able to follow.
“Choosing subjects should not be based on a gut feel towards easier subjects. They must be chosen very carefully, and only after proper research about the implications of choosing certain subjects. The best way to go about making subject choices later this year is to immediately start considering one’s options constantly, and refining them in the coming months.”
This is the first opportunity pupils of this age will have to practise strategic decision-making that will have a major impact on their lives.
“It should be looked at as an exciting first step into their future as adults, and also a valuable learning tool.”
Mrs Payne said the process could be made less intimidating by following the following guidelines:
Know what you want to study. Then ensure what the entrance requirements are:
If you are clear about what you want to do, check out the websites of both public and private higher education institutions to verify their requirements. Let that guide your subject choices. Very importantly, look at a range of different institutions and courses within your field to allow yourself some choice and a Plan B after matric.
Don’t know? Then leave as many options available as possible:
Those who are not yet sure about their future direction should choose subject combinations that will leave them with options and room to manoeuvre later, including Maths and Science. Pupils who struggle with precisely these subjects, should consider keeping only one of them to focus their efforts. Maths Literacy should only be considered as a last resort.
Consider what makes you happy:
As you spend time at your desk every day, going from class to class and completing your homework, be alert to which subjects make you come alive a little more than others. Determine which subjects mirror your interests and career dreams, and include them. Carefully research how your favourite subjects manifest in the working world, as you may potentially have more interesting options than you are currently aware of.
Consider what you are good at:
Choose at least two subjects in which you can do really well. Admission to higher education is performance-based, so it makes sense to do very well in some subjects rather than badly in all of them.
Don’t sell yourself short:
You may think you won’t stand a chance of getting good sufficient grades to enter higher education post matric. Remember the South African National Senior Certificate has four levels of pass. While one of them is the degree pass, you could also qualify for diploma or higher certificate study. These two qualifications, which are normally vocationally or career-focused, could give you access straight to the world of work, and even degree study if you wanted to do it later. There are also options in public and private FET Colleges, or you may even be entrepreneurial and want to start your own business.
“The key to making the best subject choices for your future self is to ensure you do your research thoroughly and at a comfortable pace, so you don’t have to rush the decision. Don’t leave it until the end of the year, when you might be tempted to just tick the same boxes your friends are ticking, and in the process set yourself up for frustration and disappointment.”
