It feels like your whole life has been leading up to the last day of high school, right? Twelve years of schooling and you’re finally set to start living freely, following your own path, and reaching your life’s goals. While hearing that school bell ring for the last time is no doubt something you have been looking forward to, it is also quite normal to feel a little bit confused, stressed and even overwhelmed about what comes next.

It’s possible that the thought of choosing a career and starting at university feels daunting, or that you haven’t yet made up your mind about exactly what it is that you want to do for the rest of your life. And that’s all okay. Part of life after Matric is knowing that life is a journey, not a destination. And much like any journey, there could be some bumps and detours along the way – the trick is learning, growing, and enjoying the process. Here are a few ideas on how to get started on the ride that is life after Matric:

1.   Pursue further studies

The most commonly pursued post-Matric option is starting tertiary studies at a university or college straight after Grade 12. You’ll likely know all about this option already, but what you may not know are the challenges you may face after leaving school and pursuing your degree, diploma or certification.

Firstly, you may not have achieved the marks needed to attend the university you want, or for the courses you want to take. This is not the end of the world, promise! You could rewrite the subjects required. Investigate taking a bridging course, or even consider a different course or tertiary institution altogether. Ask advice from a past teacher or from the university or college you’ve applied to for more information on what you should do.

If you aren’t able to attend the university you wanted to, there are other study options open to you. Consider distance learning, a private college, or FET college to get started. However, always make sure that the institution you are interested in is properly accredited with the necessary educational bodies.

And if you do start at varsity and feel like it’s just not for you, or that you’d rather investigate a different career path, that’s okay too. Deciding what to study and work in for the rest of your life is a big one, and we don’t all get it right the first time around. 30 to 40% of students drop out of their first year at university in SA.

2.   Find a mentor

Remember that ‘life is a journey’ thing we mentioned? Well, it’s not a journey you have to take all by yourself. Having the support, insight, and guidance of a mentor can help you in the decisions you’ll be making now. This should be someone who has some life experience and who you can trust and depend on. Consider approaching a senior member of your community, a life coach, or even a person in the career field you’re interested in to become a mentor for you.

3.   Look into an internship or learnership

There’s also a possibility that you could work while learning and studying on the job. This is called a learnership (sometimes an internship) and occurs through one of the 21 SETAs (Sector Education and Training Authorities). This means that you work in a specific field, learn while you go, and undertake studies, all while being paid a small salary, which is called a stipend. Look here for more on this.

4.   Consider a gap year

If the pressure of deciding on a career path and life goals right now feels like too much, you don’t have to decide right now. You could consider taking a gap year. But be warned: this is not the time for you to sleep late or play video games all day! The best way to use this time to its full potential is to spend it productively.

This could be traveling and working in another country, as many SA youths spend time abroad working as waiters, au pairs, nannies, etc. This is a great way to explore the broader world while learning how to be self-sufficient and figure out a few things on the way. Look at some opportunities at CCUSA as a start.

You could also do this locally, so look around for work opportunities or even volunteering options. South Africa has many NGOs that need keen helpers. These could be close to home, or even in another city or province to give you a chance to spread your wings a bit.

5.   Whatever you do, do it for yourself

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that life is all about change. No matter what you end up deciding to do after Matric (or however many bumps there are in the road ahead), do it because it’s something you want, and not because it’s what society or your loved ones deem acceptable. The biggest part of the journey that lies ahead is that it is yours.

Resources:

https://www.postmatric.co.za/guidance-where-to-next-plan-your-future/

https://issuu.com/independentnewspapers/docs/top_100_matric_digimag_040321/s/11838763