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Trying to complete matric in 2020 was no easy feat. With a pandemic having begun, Lumkile gave it his all and worked hard. He wanted to finish strong. He expected a bachelor’s pass so he could get university admission, as with most students.
Well, things didn’t turn out the way he had planned.
Lumkile's results were 2 APS points away from getting a Bachelor’s Pass and entering university.
His response,
“that hurts… because I really was invested, and I really wanted to get that bachelor’s and above…the feeling was not good at the beginning, but I don’t regret it. It taught me a lot.”
Speaking about how he got through it- friendship. A friend helped to pull him out of the gutters. Friends helped him to realize that this was not the end of the road.
But from Lumkile’s interview, this failure was redirection. From one of the greatest disappointments, arose his purpose. From his hardest battles, a new path was formed. He spoke about his own mental struggles. He saw how the psychologists had helped the people around him, including him, and he was encouraged to do the same. That maybe he could help pull others out of the darkness. Through this experience, he is now studying to become a psychologist.
Personally, this interview with Lumkile taught me a lot. One of the hardest things is not achieving the goal that you wanted. It feels like failure. And often, from this bad experience, we draw negative conclusions about our own identity: I'm not smart, I'm not talented. Which is NOT TRUE.
If I were to draw 3 main pieces of advice from Lumkile, they would be the following:
1. This is not the end.
Lumkile emphasised this. The worst thing you could do during this period is to think that there is no way out. There are a variety of solutions out there. If you did not reach the goal you had set, it is not the end.
2. Don’t isolate yourself. Surround yourself with people who love you.
When you’re in that disappointed state, you need people around you who will encourage you and help you to see solutions. It’s alright to want your space, but not for too long. When we spend too much time alone, we overthink and catastrophize, leading us deeper into sadness and frustration. It's so important to surround yourself with the right people, and the right friends. They help us to see the light.
3. Better awaits
Result Day was a disappointment for Lumkile. But today, he is studying what he loves. He is working towards his purpose. I believe that you, too, will do that. That this is a part of your story, not the end of it. Believe that better awaits.
If you are not a matriculant but you know someone who is, be that pillar of support for them. Be encouraging and not discouraging. They need it. Speak words of kindness and truth, and let's help to uplift them.