Grade nine students will very soon face a critical milestone in their educational journey: to select the subjects of their choice from Grade 10 through to their final Matric exams.
Wonga Ntshinga is Senior Head of Programme in the Faculty of ICT at the Independent Institute of Education, a global college with branches in over 40 countries. He said this choice is a foundational step in shaping their academic journey and future career opportunities.
“Even if you’re unsure about what you want to pursue after school, thoughtful planning can help you make informed decisions that keep your options open,” says Wonga.
Subject selection daunting, but important
Ntshinga said while making decisions about subject selection can be daunting, it is an important process. It will impact both performance and options down the line. As such, careful consideration must be given to ensure that students choose as well as possible. They must also choose based on their unique strengths and interests.
“The subjects you select for Grade 10 to 12 will influence your performance in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams.
“These choices will also affect your eligibility for further studies and certain career paths. The transition from Grade 9 to Grade 10 is significant. This because your subject combination lays the groundwork for your future academic and professional opportunities. By choosing wisely, you can position yourself for success in Matric. And you can do so while maintaining flexibility for your post-school plans,” adds Ntshinga.
When making subject choices in Grade 9, “It is helpful to start from where you want to be in four years’ time. Then reverse engineer how you might get there”.
Consult teachers, SRC and counsellors
“Consult teachers, career counsellors, or student advisors at universities. Both public and private are available for tailored guidance. Teachers can assess your academic strengths. Counsellors and student advisors can explain how subjects connect to career paths.”
“Students should also consider going to university open days. Although you don’t yet have to decide what to study, you are almost certain to gain highly valuable insights into your options after school. You will also gain helpful advice and insights from professionals on campus.”
Visit the SW YouTube Channel for our video content.
