Learners do their best to prepare for their National Senior Certificate examinations, however, worrying about the outcomes happens from time to time. The reality is that not all of them will be satisfied with their results.
The South African Anxiety and Depression Group (SADAG) Project Coordinator, Roshni Parbhoo-Seetha highlighted that post exam anxiety is real and that matric learners suffer from it. She indicated that matric final exams can be quite stressful because there is a lot of expectations from the parents, teachers and learners.
‘’Our children do suffer from post exam anxiety. They may be happy today and sad tomorrow and everything that they are feeling is valid,” she said.
According to Parbhoo-Seetha, not only do learners stress about their results, but they also worry about life after matric. That is why it is important for parents to continue being supportive during this time and realize that not everything goes the way they had planned.
Her advice to the learners is that they should explore their interests. She also added that things do not always go as planned, so it is always safe for learners to have a few career options.
“Plan A does not always work out, that is why it is important to have an alternative plan. You do not have to fit yourself in a small box to avoid feeling like a failure. There are many other things that you can pursue should you not perform well,” she said.
Clinical Psychologist at the University of Pretoria’s Department of Student Affairs, Sibongile Sibanyoni, recommended that matric learners should look for other options such as bridging courses, upgrading and short skills development courses to improve their matric results.
“It is best that we look at the available options for the learners who might have to improve their results. They can apply for a remark, upgrade or enroll in a bridging course to improve their results. They can also do research on the needed skills in the country and register for a short course,” she said.
She added that parents and caregivers should motivate their children and remind them that life does not end in matric. She said that parents should let their children know that their results do not define them.
“Parents should constantly remind their children they are proud of them, and assure them that their lives are not defined by their matric results,” she said.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) offers candidates a chance to upgrade and improve their results through the Second Chance Programme. Through this programme, they can focus on specific subjects that they want to improve or rewrite all their subjects if they weren’t initially satisfied with their performance.
The programme, which was launched in 2016, typically gets written in May/June and also in November.
Its benefits include computer skills, career pathing and job opportunities and these come at no cost. It also supports part-time matric candidates through face-to-face classes facilitated by qualified teachers at selected schools and community centres. Various study material is given to each learner to ensure they receive their desired matric mark.
All participants are also given full information regarding the bursaries offered by the department and other institutions.