Getting your results and finding out you have failed can be very upsetting. It may even be shocking and unexpected. You may feel your world is crumbling around you and you have nowhere to go.
While your friends move on to better things, you feel like you’re left behind trying to pick up the pieces. Failing Matric can be a slap in the face, but it’s really not the end of the world. There are steps you can take to move forward and upward.
Here are 7 questions to ask yourself:
1. Why did I fail?
Think about the reasons you failed.
Be honest with yourself. Here are some questions to ask:
- Did I study hard enough?
- Did I go out with my friends or watch too much tv?
- Did I spend too much time on social media?
- Did I think studying wasn’t ‘cool’?
- Did I participate in class throughout the year or did I just try and ‘catch up’ in the last few weeks?
- Did I think it was going to be easy?
- Did I just give up?
- Was I ill?
- Was I experiencing personal problems?
There are many challenges we face but ultimately how we respond to them will determine an outcome.
If you are determined to succeed, you will find ways to overcome obstacles and hardships.
You are in charge of your own life and your own destiny (where you end up in the world). It’s not easy, but life’s not easy. No-one is going to present you with a fantastic job and a fabulous life if you haven’t worked hard to earn it.
It takes a lot of hard work and commitment to get ahead. If you prefer to hang out with your ‘cool’ friends and do nothing – you’ll end up getting nothing out of life. And you alone will be responsible for that.
3. What next?
Failing Matric is not the end of the world.
It really isn’t. It will just take you slightly longer but you can improve your position.
You have many options:
- You could apply to have your papers re-marked. Re-marking may cost money so it’s only recommended if you honestly feel you did better than the mark you got. Check your local newspapers for the re-marking deadline date and fees. Learners from no-fee schools may not have to pay application fees.
- If you have failed less than 3 subjects, you may apply to write supplementary exams. For more info, visit education.gov.za. Supplementary exams are FREE!
- If you feel you could benefit from re-doing your Matric – then this is the time to do it. Having a good Matric will open more doors for you.
You can join the “Second Chance Program” which is FREE – CLICK HERE
4. Where can I study?
If you have failed your Matric you can still gain access to a TVET college to gain a grade 12 equivalent trade based qualification known as the National Certificate Vocational.
With this qualification, you gain entry into career fields such as Engineering, Tourism and Hospitality, Management and Early Childhood Development to name a few.
5. When must I apply?
For re-writing
We advise checking with your schools for the dates, they should have more information on this. Alternatively, you can contact the department of education via their website www.education.gov.za or info@dbe.gov.za or on 0800 202 933.
To re-do your matric year
Firstly contact your school to explore your options to enroll with them or for a transfer to another school. If you wish to pursue your matric privately through institutions like Damelin, Abbott College or Intec we advise contacting them directly.
TVET College
Contact the nearest TVET College in your area to find out about their application procedure and dates. You can find a list of TVET Colleges contact details on Career Planets Training Providers page.
NOTE:
Check your local newspapers, the internet, and schools for the application deadline dates. Each one is different.
Do not hesitate – if you miss the deadline date, there are no extensions!
6. Which is my best option?
It all depends on you – the marks you obtained and what you would like to do.
For instance, if you failed one subject, we would advise applying to write the supplementary exam for that subject.
If you have failed more than two (2) subjects, you have two options:
(a) – you could apply at a school or private institution to re-do your matric year.
(b) – you can apply to a TVET College to obtain a National Certificate Vocational as explained above.
7. How can I do it?
The first thing you need to do is change your attitude.
You need to put yourself and your future first.
The decisions you make now will affect the rest of your life.
The time is now. Effort = Reward!
‘The secret of getting ahead, is getting started.’ – Mark Twain
