Page 43 - Intra Muros November Issue 2024

TODAY’S CHILD

NAVIGATING THE COMPLEXITIES OF

UNIVERSITY ADMISSION –

A PARENT’S GUIDE

rade 11 and matric are stressful this situation,” says Dr Linda Meyer, university unfold differently from what they
years for pupils and parents managing director of IIE Rosebank College. expected.
Galike. The anxiety can be “While it feels like an intractable problem
overwhelming not only because of the for pupils and their families, it is important “The reality of the admissions process is that
pressure to perform well during exams to put the matter into perspective. only a small number of students will receive
and assessments, but also because of the an acceptance letter from their preferred
complexities and uncertainties brought “First of all, do not take it personally or view institution for their preferred degree,” says
about when applying for university it as a failure. Of course, it is frustrating not Dr Meyer. “The competition is intense, with
placement. to be able to cross this item off your to-do- thousands of matric students vying for a
list, especially if you have worked very hard limited number of spots. It’s natural for
Besides the stressful and exhausting and were not accepted while many of your parents and students to feel anxious about
application process students have to make peers have already received offers. But see whether they will achieve the necessary
to various universities involving different this as a temporary hurdle rather than a results to secure a place at a university.”
qualifications, many students have to permanent roadblock.”
endure the disappointment of not being She urges parents and students to
placed in the universities they applied to. South Africa has 26 public universities and remember that there are many pathways
They then have to decide on the next step. they only accept about 210 000 first-year to success and that a university or college
students annually. This is the reality, and acceptance is not the only – or even the
“Thousands of prospective students so families worry about what will happen best – route to a fulfilling and successful
throughout South Africa are now facing if the matric pupil’s plans to attend a public career.

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