Grade 12s need a break

JORDAN MOSHE

But, marks are not the be all and end all, say Yeshiva College’s head boy and girl for 2018, Liad Shulman and Liat Shear. They believe that If you really want to make a success of your matric year, you have to remember that results are only a small part of a bigger picture.

Having said that, both achieved seven distinctions in matric. So, the two certainly committed themselves to their academic responsibilities. However, says Shulman, “There’s so much more to this year in your life, and if you don’t see it that way, you’ve missed something vital.”

Like hundreds before them, Shulman and Shear had grand study plans prior to beginning matric, only to find that life had other ideas. Says Shear, “No matter what study routines you plan, you find that you have to be far more flexible than you imagined. Driving lessons, Shabbatonim, socialising, even taking time to watch TV are all important activities. They are part of the matric experience.”

Both keen public speakers, Shear and Shulman enhanced their matric experience with meaningful engagements. They devoted time to preparing and presenting speeches for events held during the year, not only earning A+s.

As tempting as it may be to withdraw from social life and remain buried in one’s books, it is important to remain connected and engaged with others, they say. “At some point at the beginning of the year, the class realised that we weren’t all in individual sinking boats, but in one big burning boat together,” says Shulman with a chuckle. “The need for camaraderie and to connect with others in the same situation is so important. You can’t be serious all the time. Whether it’s engaging in banter with teachers or asking stupid questions, have a laugh with your friends, and carry on.”

It’s unfortunate, they say, that few are able to look beyond their matric year, and see the greater scheme of things. Not only do fellow students become competitive, their behaviour can become hateful – even vindictive, says Shear. “When some people get their marks, they want to know how well they did in comparison to other people,” she says. “They get aggressive about their results, and forget what they’re really getting them for. All they want to see at the end of the year is a number on a piece of paper that’s better than someone else’s.”

The two say this culture must change. Says Shulman, “How can a percentage on a sheet of paper determine a learning culture, and the way you live your life? There are people who are far more talented at art, and would excel if they took it, but succumb to the pressure to take science because people say they need it to succeed after school or because everyone else is taking it.”

Says Shear, “Even with a full house of distinctions, you aren’t guaranteed that you’ll get a space in a medical-school programme. Receiving a distinction isn’t what people make it out to be, and may not actually be worth the extreme stress and pressure students put themselves under.

“Matric is the conclusion of 12 years of preparation,” Shear says. “So much work goes into that final mark that you can forget to appreciate the journey you go on to get it. If you remember to work hard but also play hard, be mindful of the bigger picture and set realistic goals, you’ll come out with more than just a matric.