What to do after matric: tips for pupils and their families

I'M SURE that the more than 900 000 pupils who sat for the National Senior Certificate examination are overjoyed that this year has come to an end. Many would have enjoyed a “pens down” party or attended the so-called rage events which follow the writing of the last paper.

Others would have indulged in pranks like squeezing toothpaste on each other and getting their school uniforms either signed by their classmates or cutting up their school ties to signify the end of formal schooling.

When children enter school for the first time in pre-school, and they learn to write, read and count, parents are so happy at the child’s development. However, this joy starts to fade slowly as the child progresses to higher grades and by the time the pupil is in Grade 12, that joy is overwritten by tension, anxiety and intense pressure.

When I wrote matric five decades ago, just reaching matric was a milestone in itself. Many of my primary school friends and even some in high school never completed matric.

I remember there was a thing called JC - a junior certificate,  where pupils acquired a school leaving certificate (in today’s system, it was the equivalent of a grade 10). This certificate allowed people to enter the world of work, go to college and get a secretarial qualification, go to nursing school, join the police force, or even pick up a trade.

There was no such thing as career counselling back in the day. Teaching and social work were considered good jobs for females. Of course, finances and status also determined whether higher education was on the cards. Today, the world is literally an oyster when it comes to access to higher education. Since then, a matric pass has become the passport to tertiary education and degrees.

The world of work has taken on such a huge mantle that even people with degrees cannot access the job market. One only has to look at the number of qualified doctors earlier this year who could not secure internships. Quite disheartening indeed. There’s also a joke that the parent also “writes matric” when their children are in the final phase of formal schooling. Many parents have high expectations and unconsciously place undue pressure on their children to achieve. This extreme emphasis on academic success sometimes causes matriculants to underperform. So what now? Results will only be released on January 13. That’s quite a long wait.

It can induce unnecessary anxiety as futures depend on it. Will I pass, will I get a matric exemption, what if I fail, will be some of the thoughts running through every matriculant's mind.

The overachievers will focus on how many distinctions they will earn. Others will just have relief that the examinations are over. Allow those thoughts to flow into your mind for a minute or two. Then set it aside and focus on making a plan for the future. The reality is that praying, worrying, wishing, and crying will not change the answers you have written. Neither will “I should have’s”. It’s done now. Trust that you have done your best, and let it be. Avoid doing a “post mortem” as it will not be helpful to the outcome.

What should matric pupils do while they wait? The first thing is to decide what you are going to do over the next month and a half. You will have to rework your daily routine. It means you can sleep in a little longer, take your time eating, maybe incorporate some exercise, and binge-watch TV. Anything joyful that you put off in order to see this year through. Some of the side effects of extreme stress may have been social isolation, poor appetite and interrupted sleep. Take active steps to resolve exam-related stress. Sort out your notes and study aids. Think of passing it on to someone who will be in matric next year. If you have textbooks you no longer use, give them to the subject teacher, who can pass them on to a pupil who may need them.

Organise files and documents - discard what is no longer useful and keep what you are likely to need, such as your school testimonial. Devise a plan for either the world of work (draw up a CV) or if you are going to study further, visualise what that will look like. Some among you may decide to take a gap year. The idea of a gap year is not well-received by Indian parents.

Sometimes, when I give career advice and include the concept of a gap year, the reaction is usually one of shock, horror, gasp! Most Indian parents have their children’s lives planned for them. The order is usually school, university, career, marriage, and children! On reflection, had I had the choice, I believe I would have taken a different path. But my parents had a plan for me.

Anyway, I have no regrets, as that was the accepted norm in my time. As I grew, I began making choices for myself. The younger generation is quite fortunate to have so many options available to them these days. My son took a gap year to reflect on his career options, gain practical work experience, get his driver’s licence, and travel. And he’s all the better for it.

Personally, I feel a gap year gives kids time to mature, and it’s not wasted time. During this time, parents will also need to be far more supportive than ever. Assure your matriculant that you love them no matter what the results say on January 13, 2026. Share in your child’s ups and downs while they are in this holding pattern. Encourage them to enjoy this freedom from exam stress. Hide your disappointment, if any. Your job as a parent is to lift your child up. It will be okay. 

Dr Sandy Kalyan is a psychologist, and you can contact her at [email protected]

POST PLUS