Matric results aren’t the final verdict

South African matric results will be published this month. For those of you waiting for the “final verdict”, it’s important to know that your marks don’t define who you are and what you’re capable of achieving.

Twelve years of schooling and all the experience, memories, knowledge, and skills you gained come to one thing – a number – a figure that summarises in a digit or two the years you attended classes, memorised formulas, forgot your vocabulary, read prescribed books, summarised notes, sweated, shed some tears, and cheated. It all comes to an end when you anticipate, with heart palpitations, the final results.

These are stressful times, now more than ever. You hear about the soaring unemployment rate due to COVID-19 and fear being a part of the statistics. You may have registered to go to university with a specific objective in mind or just for the sake of getting a degree, or you may still be struggling to decide what’s next.

So let’s examine possible worst-case scenarios. Say your marks don’t qualify you to enrol with the university or study path of your choice, or you are still in doubt about where to go from here. If you are in either of these positions, it’s not the end of the world, although it may feel like it.

Remember, your grades don’t define who you are and what you are capable of doing. Give it time, maturity, and hard work. Be proactive, seek ways you can achieve your goals or find your purpose in life. It may not be in the time period you’ve planned, but time spent learning and gaining work experience isn’t lost. On the contrary.

Carry on learning and gaining skills. You’d be surprised at how many online courses are offered for free. (See the list at the end of the article). Technological progress is changing the work environment significantly. Upgrade yourself, gain skills that will stand you apart from the rest. Explore the current skills that the job market is looking for.

Work experience can get you far, almost as much as a certificate or diploma can. If you can’t find a job, volunteer. Build up your CV with experiences and newly gained skills, but most importantly, extend your network. Go beyond the “Fs” – friends, family – and reach out to acquaintances and connections that can be of help in advising, mentoring, or directing you in the right direction.

What defines who you are and what you are capable of doing … is you. With the right mindset and openness to learning, the sky’s the limit.

List of free courses:

Microsoft Digital Literacy: https://icted.online/Course/Details/322

LinkedIn Learning Free courses: https://opportunity.linkedin.com/skills-for-in-demand-jobs

Free online courses from top universities: https://www.openculture.com/freeonlinecourses

Join ORT Jet webinars and explore the world of business: https://www.ortjet.org.za/events/

• Ariellah Rosenberg is the chief executive of ORT SA, a nongovernment organisation that provides state-of-the-art training and mentoring in STEM, IT education, and entrepreneurship.