You’re young, and life is full of promise. You’re just beginning to grow into your adult self, and school is a dull and boring environment when you really want to be socializing and enjoying the young years of your life. Why should you waste your time slaving over books and subjects at school when you could be partying and having fun?
Everyone understands the temptation to see matric passes as something that isn’t important. After all, you may have adults in your life bragging that they didn’t do matric and got ahead! It’s not the only thing that matters in the world! It’s who you know, not what you know!
While these things are true- academic performance won’t be the only foundation on which you build your future- having a great matric pass will open many, many doors that could otherwise be closed to you, and it is worth doing your very best. Here’s why you should pass matric with the best results you can.
Why is it Important to Pass Matric with Good Results?
Good matric results open up opportunities for further education at universities, colleges, and other tertiary institutions. Many degree programs and specialized courses have specific entry requirements, including minimum grades. Good matric results increase your chances of being accepted into the programs you want to study- in turn affecting the jobs you can take as an adult.
Matric results also play an important role in securing employment opportunities. Employers will consider academic achievements when evaluating job applications, especially for higher-end and specialized jobs. Good results will enhance your resume in many ways, not just academically- they demonstrate commitment, discipline, and the ability to perform well under pressure, all things which employers want to see. In a highly competitive job market (and South Africa’s is currently very difficult), good matric results can give you a competitive edge over other candidates.
Remember that scholarships and bursaries are typically awarded on academic merit, significantly reducing the financial burden of your further education. The better you can do, the better your chances of getting help with your future goals.
But it’s not just about tangible results. Achieving good results in matric will boost your confidence, self-esteem, and give you a sense of accomplishment as you take your first steps into the often harsh adult and working world. It validates the hard work and effort you put into your school career and encourages you to set higher goals for your future.
In short, good results will open doors to new opportunities and experiences, contributing to your personal growth and development and allowing you to make a better life for yourself.
What is the Purpose of a Matric Certificate?
Your matric certificate indicates that you finished the full 12 years of ‘standard’ schooling at the expected literacy and understanding level. It indicates that you have managed to grasp the basics of the educational world and are ready to step into a career and build your future. While personal qualities, skills, experience, and passion also play significant roles in your career development, matric lays a solid foundation for academic and professional pursuits, opening doors to a wide range of opportunities.
What is the Impact of Failing Matric?
Failing matric does not define your entire future, but it is a setback you don’t want to face. With determination, perseverance, and a willingness to explore alternative options, you can overcome a failure and pursue your goals through different educational pathways or vocational training programs. However, you will have to accept that failing your matric will disrupt the progress of both your education and your career development, and may close some doors to you forever, or need extensive recovery to catch up to your friends and peers.
As we mentioned, failing matric will restrict your access to further education opportunities. Many higher education institutions have minimum grade requirements. Additionally, scholarships and financial aid often have academic requirements, and failing your matric will make you ineligible for this support. This will place a heavier financial burden on your family, and may stop you being able to continue your education at all through financial issues.
Without a matric certificate, you will struggle to find employment, especially in desirable roles where there are expected levels of education. You may face career delays and limited job prospects- many employers prioritize candidates with at least a completed high school education if not further education.
In some social circles, there is also a heavy stigma associated with failing matric, or not completing high school. This stigma can create challenges for your personal and professional relationships and affect your self-perception. However, it’s important to remember that everyone’s educational journey is unique, and there are alternative paths to success!
That said, even if you think you ‘don’t care’ about education right now, as a young person about to leave school, failing matric can be emotionally and psychologically damaging in ways you may not expect. You get set behind your peers, who can move on to more exciting times in their life you cannot. You face disappointment in yourself and from loved ones, leading to low self-esteem and a sense of failure. Coping with these emotions and regaining confidence can be difficult, especially if you feel held back by the missed opportunities.
That said, failing matric can serve as a turning point for people who’ve been wasteful of their early education. You could find the motivation to do better for yourself and find alternative paths, such as adult education programs, vocational training, or reattempting matric examinations to improve your results. It can be an opportunity to learn from the experience and work towards achieving your goals through different routes- but it is a tough one, and better avoided.
What is the Importance of Grade 12 results?
Your Grade 12 results gained through the year will account for 25% of your final matric mark, so it is well worth keeping your academic standards up throughout the year and not simply relying on the final examination. Going into your end examinations knowing you have a buffer of good performance to help you will be very beneficial to your confidence.
How to Pass Matric with Good Results?
Ideally, you’ve spent your entire school career working towards a great matric pass, and have learned the dedication, study strategies, and systemic methods you need to pass as well as possible. Even if you have been less dedicated academically, however, you can still put in the time and effort now to improve your matric results. Here’s some tips:
- Set goals and dreams to keep yourself motivated and focused.
- Use a study schedule so you are regular and consistent, instead of trying to cram everything at once.
- Understand your curriculum, so you can prioritize the right aspects of each course
- Practice with past papers to get a sense for common questions and boost your confidence.
- Use the educational opportunities around you- ask for help, get a tutor, and make sure you help yourself through sticky areas of the course.
- Try out different study techniques to see what works- we are all different!
- Study diligently, but make sure you are also practicing self-care, taking breaks, getting good sleep, and finding balance. We are not robots.
- Learn to manage your time and stay organized.
- Be positive and believe in yourself.
Everyone’s life journey is unique, but a good matric pass can help you reach your goals and dreams- it’s well worth the final effort you need to leave school with a great matric result.
