Matric results may not match expectations. Picture iStock Thousands of matriculants across South Africa have received their exam results. It’s the culmination of a dozen years of schooling and the beginning of a brand new phase in their lives.
Results day can be a moment of elation or, for some young people, a devastating blow to their confidence. Psychologist and medical doctor Dr Jonathan Redelinghuys said that children react differently to academic disappointment, but parents often underestimate just how deeply those reactions can cut. “For some matriculants, their self-worth is interminably tied to their academic success,” he said.
“For these children, failure, whether actual or perceived, can be devastating to their self-esteem and can result in severe anxiety, depressive symptoms, or even suicidal behaviour.” A former matriculant who is now in their second year of study said that matric results day was awful and provided relief of knowing at the same time. “While I passed with university exemption, my results were far from what I expected,” she said. “Despite support from my family, the pressure I had placed on myself was enormous.
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My boyfriend, at the time, pressured me to rewrite. I hated the holiday period preceding the results.” It took her, she said, several months to come to terms with the final outcome of her scholastic career. “I journaled my feelings as much as I could, as I was at risk of becoming depressed.
The pressure valve had to burst at some point.” Dr Redelinghuys said that pressure does not only come from parents. It’s not uncommon for learners to internalise expectations around bursaries, career ambitions and family identity. “It is also sometimes the case that children attach their identities to being ‘the clever one’ in the family,” he said. “Challenges to this, particularly where there are underlying tendencies toward anxiety or depression, may result in significant distress.” Social worker in private practice Carryn Hennessy said the emotional fallout often extends beyond the learner and rips through entire households.
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