Table of Contents
Matric: The End is Near
The last year of school is (mostly) a blast! Apart from the exam stress, you’re on top of the world—and your school. You’re the king (or queen) of your universe, but soon, you’re going to leave this comfortable cocoon and enter the big world. You suddenly realise that you have big decisions to make about your future and you have to say goodbye to everything you’ve known for 12 years.
At this point, you may feel like you need a minute. It’s okay—take a break.
Onwards and upwards from Your Matric Final Year
Despite the shock to the system that the reality of leaving high school brings, it is a time of great opportunity. Instead of looking at the end of your matric year with panic and anxiety, see it as a chance to achieve your dreams and make the world your oyster. Some things to consider for your first year out of school could include:
- Studying your passion: Explore tertiary education and study what you love. As they say, if you love what you do, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.
- Gaining work experience: If the idea of studying full-time makes you break out into a cold sweat, why not take on a part-time job? It would be even better if it is in the field you’re considering studying. Studying part-time is a great way to take the pressure off. Also, you’re young: There’s no rush. Many companies offer internship programmes that allow for valuable workplace experience which could lead to full-time employment.
- Traveling – if you aren’t sure you want to or know what to study yet, why not travel or take a gap year? There are fantastic opportunities abroad—or locally—to work at summer camps, in wildlife conservation or even just working your local restaurant. The opportunities are endless!
How to Adjust to Life After Matric
Of course, transitioning from high school to university—or even the working world—won’t be as easy as it sounds. You’re leaving your comfort zone and entering uncharted territory and it can be incredibly daunting. Many matrics fear making the wrong choice (this is the rest of your life we’re talking about!). But, like we said before, you’re young, and if you’ve watched any teen movie worth its salt, you’d have heard it said that this is a time to make mistakes and learn from them.
Making rash decisions is also not advisable. Try to get it right but it’s okay if you don’t.
If you choose to study at a college or university, you may find in your first year that you don’t like the course. Should that happen, look at it as a year of knowledge gained, rather than wasted time. You’ll come away with more self-awareness and a better sense of direction.
Final Thoughts
Remember that you aren’t on anyone’s timeline but your own. It’s wise to ask for advice, but know that you don’t have to do what everyone else is doing. Once you’ve made up your mind, dedicate your whole self to making a success of the path you’ve chosen. Go forth, let go and embrace this change.
While you’re writing your matric exams, remember to use every study hack you can to achieve the highest marks possible and be prepared for your matric results. Ensure high marks by studying past papers.
Fund Your Tertiary Studies with Fundi
After you’ve passed your matric year and gotten your matric results, you may decide to pursue higher education. This is great news, but it can also bring with it a lot of questions. For instance, you may be wondering where you’re going to find funding for your studies. Don’t worry, Fundi has go you covered!
Fundi offers student loans that cover a range of educational costs—including tuition fees, study devices, accommodation and more! Be sure to try out the Fundi Loan Calculator to see if you qualify and start your educational journey today!
