How to support your matric child through exams
“Our thoughts are always with the Matriculants facing one of the toughest assessment periods they have so far faced, but we should also spare a thought for parents of Matrics, who are faced with the anxiety of their children, while also hoping that they perform well enough to set them up to pursue their goals and dreams after school,” says Peter Kriel, General Manager at The Independent Institute of Education, SA’s leading private higher education provider.
Kriel says while parents often don’t know how they can support their children during this time, there are a few things they can do – and also a few things they should NOT do – to make things easier.
Keep a Close Eye
Keeping ahead of the game is key, as it is almost always possible to get back on track if things are not left too late.
On the physical wellness side, parents can help remind their child to get some sleep if they have been hitting the books for too long, too late at night. They can also ensure that students eat as healthy as possible while drinking plenty of water and getting exercise so that fatigue doesn’t impact their ability to study.
Get Help
Matric exams are only one part of one’s life – which will soon pass – and there will always be options available, even if those options follow a different path from the initial vision.
Stay Calm
Have a Plan (and a Plan B)
Sit down and have a brainstorm reflecting on the student’s expectations about how they performed during their final exams. If there is a possibility that they performed better than they initially thought they would, and that they may possibly qualify for further study or even a more specialised degree, start investigating options as soon as possible.
Here it is particularly helpful to approach reputable higher education institutions, private or public, directly to speak to a student advisor about the student’s options. Equally, if there is a possibility that a student may not have performed well enough to gain access to the institution or qualification of choice, student advisors will be able to assist with information about alternative routes to success.
