Top Tips for Post-Matric Students: Interview with CEO of Matric College and Education Expert Jan Badenhorst

What can or should students study 

In order to get guidance on what to study, you should do your research. You can turn to the internet or ask someone for advice. 

• There is a familiar website, “whatcanistudy.co.za”, or simply search the term “career tests” in google and see what comes up. 
• Apart from the internet you could also turn to someone with experience and ask for advice. 
• Figuring out what your interests are along with whether or not you are a good student can also help you decide if studying is for you or not. 
• Many students base their decision on how much money they will make, for example Accountants make a lot of money so they study accounting, this is setting yourself for a job you will hate. You are better off doing something you will love. 
• We live in a time of multiple careers as well so if you choose to go into something today it does not mean you are locked in that career forever. 

The guarantee of getting a job once you have completed your studies 

Past students of tertiary institutions have raised their concerns that studying is not worth it, and that they still struggled to find work. Another top tip for Post-Matric students, South Africa has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world and therefore nothing can necessarily guarantee you a job, especially studying. 

Many people with degrees or diplomas are unemployed, because it is mainly about mindset. You need to work towards getting a job separately from your studies such as looking to job shadow or finding a mentor. However, as contradicting as this may be, the more educated you are, the more likely you are to find a higher paying job. Your level of education has a huge impact on what you can expect to earn and the likelihood of you getting a job. 

Parents pressuring their children about their future 

A lot of time parents pressure their children into studying something that does not interest the child. Many parents often confuse their own dreams with what they want for their children. They should remember that it is okay for post-matric students to take time (such as a gap year) to think about what they want to study, as long as they get  value out of that time. The more time you have to think, the more clarity you will have on what to study or what path to take. This also allows you to make better choices. Setting off in a field you are not interested in is a recipe for disaster. You won’t enjoy yourself and you will struggle to pass. Parents, you need to put in the effort, allow your child some time and help them do the necessary research. 

A recheck, remark or rewrite 

This seems to be the top tip for Post-Matric students. There are distinct differences between a remark, recheck and a rewrite. You, as a student, should have a clear idea if you deserved the marks you received or not. 

• If you expected to fail and you failed, a recheck or remark will not be valuable. 
• If you expected to do well and failed and believe there was a real error made, then you should either apply for a recheck or remark. 
• For those students who wrote badly, a rewrite is your best option. With this you can upgrade two of your subjects and better your results. 

The most important question you should ask yourself is: Was there a real error made or not? 

COVID-19 and its effects on large tertiary institutions

There is a chance COVID-19 is affecting students’ choices of universities or colleges. However, COVID-19 has said to mainly affect elders and those with underlying conditions. Hence, if you follow the appropriate COVID-19 rules (social distancing, wearing your mask, etc) you should not be too worried. Although, if you are still fearful you could consider distance learning, meaning you study at home and via online platforms, these are also viable options. There are various distance learning schools, namely: 

• Skills Academy
• Bellview Institute 
• Matric College 
• UNISA 

Updates in NSFAS Funding 

Many students have been stressed over the recent developments or updates with regards to NSFAS Funding, however there is no need to be. All they are doing is phasing out certain courses and replacing them with new ones. So make sure you do your research and enrol for the replacement courses instead of the phased out ones. 

Working and Studying at the same time

You may have wondered whether or not it is possible to work and study at the same time. Simply, you should not be afraid to put yourself out there. Many times it is not possible for students to study full time without generating an income on the side. Therefore, once again students can consider distance learning, evening classes or weekend classes. However, it can work, you just have to set realistic goals for yourself and manage your time well. Set up a study schedule, make time everyday to study, move away from distractions and set up your situation. 

Studying Further 

For those students unsure about whether or not they should plan to study further: study as far as you can go. There is no downside to an additional year of study. As long as you go as far as you’re able, you will be happy about studying further. Secondly, if it interests you then go for it, in this case there’s probably no “too far”. So, yes, it is possible to study further after acquiring a certificate or diploma or even a degree. 

The Future Awaits those with the Courage to Create It

Create your future with us and accomplish your wildest dreams, all in the comfort of your own home. What are you waiting for? Contact us today to find out what distance learning courses we have to offer: 

• Call us for free on 0800 39 0027
• Complete our online contact form.