For many school leavers, dealing with your matric results can be an emotional rollercoaster. The outcome might not align with expectations, and quick decisions often need to be made. The future can feel overwhelming, especially if things don’t go as planned. But remember, not achieving the results you hoped for is far from the end — it’s the start of a journey filled with endless opportunities. Di Charton, an experienced senior lecturer at the Red & Yellow Creative School of Business, recently shared insights with eNCA and Expresso, offering valuable advice to help matriculants (and parents) navigate their options, adopt a positive mindset, and take their next steps confidently.

I’ve received my matric results and they are not what I was expecting. What now?

You are going to feel a lot of emotions so take time to sit with them and understand them. Remember, there are so many different pathways to success which might take the pressure off the results you may have been expecting.

If you didn’t get into the institution you were wanting to, you still have options. You can study something like a higher certificate, or an online qualification or short course, to up your skills and get you to a point where you can reapply. Or, it could open up a whole new direction for you that you didn’t think was possible.

How do I prioritise mental health at this point in time?

Perceptions shape your reality. It’s important to remember that you can shift your perception and change your circumstances. When I get setbacks, I ask myself “What can I learn from this?” This helps me take my next step forward. Understand the reason behind things happening while looking for other opportunities that do exist. Matric results do not define us. Do not let them hinder you from your next step.

Should I take a gap year?

Gap years can work well for some people who feel that they are uncertain about the next step in their education. My advice is to commit to learning, and commit to growing. You don’t have to be registered full time at an institution to move yourself and your career forward. You can look at part time or online learning. What you need to do in a gap year is invest in yourself and to make sure that that investment continues to grow.

How do I manage my expectations now?

First and foremost is to recognise that so much pressure is put on this moment, and that it’s not going to define you for the rest of your life. Your first plan for your next stage in your journey is not the only doorway. It’s one in a series of moments that you’re going to go through in your career. You have finished one stage of your learning journey where most things were pre-defined for you, and you’re now about to start on a journey full of agency and choice. Celebrate that you’ve finished a stage of your journey and that you’re about to embark on the next. It will definitely help take the pressure off.

What can I do today to help change my mindset?

Resilience and adaptability are the things that people seek out in the workplace. My practical advice for parents and matriculants is that if you haven’t got what you were expecting or if your initial option is not available, take a step back. Reassess your options. There are multiple ways of navigating what your next year looks like – as long as you’re moving forward.

Look at bridging courses that are also available online. You can also do work-based learning to help determine if what you thought you wanted to do is actually for you.

Research talks to the fact that today’s matriculants can go through as many as four to seven career changes in their life. Take time to figure out what it is you really want to do, sooner.

How can I future proof myself in the age of AI?

At Red & Yellow we have a saying: “Be a Sponge”. That is how you future proof yourself. Consistently commit to learning. Think about how you’re going to progress. AI has helped take away the mundane and the things that dull our creativity. Seek out opportunities that allow your uniquely human side to shine: our ability to solve problems, to look at things differently, and to collaborate with each other.

Explore Full Time and Online study with Red & Yellow

If you’re considering your study options in 2025 and beyond, Red & Yellow offers a wide array of Higher Certificates, Degrees and NQF5 online qualifications designed to match your ambitions. Our learning environment consists of small classes, with one-on-one teaching from our award-winning lecturers.

Take a look at our Full Time offerings, from our BCom Marketing and BA Visual Communication degrees, to Higher Certificates in Graphic Design and Creating Digital Content, and our National Certificate in Digital Marketing.

Our online study offerings include BCom Marketing, and our range of National Certificates in Digital Content & Copywriting, Digital Marketing, Business Analysis and User-Centered Design. Unleash your potential, redefine your narrative, and embark on a transformative educational adventure that goes beyond textbooks and classrooms. Your journey starts here, and at Red & Yellow, we’re ready to be your partner in turning aspirations into achievements. Apply now, and let the vibrant tapestry of possibilities unfold before you.