Preparing for life after school?

SEAMLESS TRANSITION: GRADE 9 IS YOUR STARTING POINT AS MATRIC IS WAY TOO LATE

- Granny Msibi

The leap from school life to the world of study and work can be quite stressful for matriculants, but if preparation starts early, it can easily be managed. Honest conversations with your child about their dreams and plans underpin the whole process. I think this preparation is crucial to help our children achieve their ideals.

Here are my recommendations for getting scholars ready for life after school:

Grade 9: Matric is way too late to start the transition process. It is important for Grade 9 scholars who make subject choices to have a clear vision of what and where they want to be post matric. Remember that subject choices determine what you can and cannot do.

This is the time for parents to have a conversation with their children about their plans, whether it's going to university or straight into work. All universities have websites where you can check study requirements. Be sure to consult these when choosing subjects and a career path.

For scholars who are uncertain about their career path, I suggest job shadowing, talking to professionals in various fields, and if financially viable, consulting an educational psychologist.