What to Study After Matric has been one of the Major problems Students face today, Finishing Matric isn’t easy – and it’s not just the exams we’re talking about. There’s huge pressure on matriculating students to know what they want to be and to have it all figured out. If you’re stuck and wondering what to do after Matric, you should know that there are many options for you, even in these uncertain times. In this blog, we take a look at all the things you can do after Matric and give you advice on their pros and cons.
Young people who have studied after school stand more chance of getting a job than those who do not. In addition to better prospects for employment young people who have studied earn higher wages and stand a better chance of getting promoted sooner and higher.
Here are six helpful guidelines on what you can do to prepare for life after matric.
1. Find a mentor
Having a senior and more experienced person guiding you in life will help you in the long run. You can either choose to have a mentor in the career field you want to pursue or someone who has vast knowledge and experience in life itself. A mentor will help you grow as a person in understanding and decision-making. Choose carefully as this person’s life habits will rub off on you.
2. Further your studies
Most matriculants will choose to further their education after high school through a TVET college, university or correspondence institute. Studying after matric will give you the opportunity to work towards a qualification that will help you land your dream job. You can study full-time or study and work part-time – the choice is yours.
Studying straight after high school also helps you maintain the momentum and discipline of learning and studying for exams.
3. Work experience
If you are still deciding on the career to pursue or are saving up to further your studies, you can gain work experience in the career field you are thinking of pursuing and earn money. Working after high school also allows you to refine your soft skills and learn the hard skills needed for your future career.
4. Gap year
If your matric year was stressful and you feel like you need a break before committing to a job or a four-year degree course, then a gap year would be best. It’s the perfect opportunity to do whatever you want. Travel a little, work abroad, volunteer for the year, discover your passion and talents – it’s all up to you. However, when travelling or working abroad, you must take all Covid-19 safety protocols into consideration.
5. Take a career quiz
If you are unsure about what career you should pursue or in doubt about whether it would suit your personality, you should take a career quiz to determine if your personality is a match for your dream job. You don’t want to take up public speaking only to find out that you are an introvert who dislikes having to confront face-to-face live audiences. These career quizzes are freely available on websites of tertiary institutes or career websites.
6. Do what makes you happy
It’s so easy to be influenced when you’re young. We tend to cling on to the popular beliefs of the world that if you’re a doctor, engineer, or lawyer that you have made it in life. That’s not true. Covid-19 has taught us not to take life for granted and that means living life on your best terms.
Do what makes you happy even if it’s not approved by society. If you want to become a deejay or travel the world and write about your adventures or even become a fitness instructor – do it and never regret living your dream.
What to Study After Matric
If you have recently completed matriculation, then you may be wondering about your next step. This is because there are so many different study options after matric exams, that it is confusing to determine the best option for you.
So, if you are currently in the process of deciding your next step after matric exams, here are options for you:
Intermediate in Faculty of Science (FSc)
Matriculation consists of 9th class and 10th class. After matric, you must pursue a higher secondary school certificate (HSSC). This is for 11th and 12th class and is known as Intermediate. Faculty of Science, or FSc, is a popular option for students interested in studying science. FSc students appear for 4 compulsory subjects, and 3 elective subjects, where the compulsory subjects are as follows:
- English
- Urdu
- Islamiat
- Pakistan Studies
There are two subject groups for FSc.
1. Pre-Engineering Group
Pre-engineering is suitable if you are interested in engineering. FSc students of pre-engineering must appear for the following 3 elective subjects:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
2. Pre-Medical Group
Pre-medical is suitable if you are interested in medicine because after completing FSc pre-medical with good scores, you will be eligible to apply to medical school. These are the elective subjects in pre-medical:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
Intermediate in Faculty of Arts (FA)
If you are interested in humanities then the Faculty of Arts (FA) is ideal for you. FA students appear for the compulsory subjects (English, Urdu, Islamiat, Pakistan Studies), along with 3 elective subjects. There is a variety of elective subjects to choose from, including:
- Civics
- Psychology
- Fine Arts
- Economics
- Home Economics
- Sociology
As an FA Intermediate student, you will have the opportunity to enter into many different career paths, according to your elective subjects.
Intermediate in Computer Science (ICS)
If you are interested in technology, you can opt for Intermediate in Computer Science (ICS) after matric exams. This is because there are many computer-related career opportunities available to ICS students. In addition to the 4 compulsory subjects (English, Urdu, Islamiat, Pakistan Studies), there are 2 groups in ICS.
- ICS Stats
The ICS stats group will be suitable if you are good at math because the 3 elective subjects are:
- Computer Studies
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- ICS Physics
ICS Physics group consists of a combination of computer studies and science subjects, which are:
- Computer Studies
- Mathematics
- Physics
Intermediate in Commerce (ICOM)
As a business-oriented student, you can gain admission to Intermediate in Commerce (ICOM). This is because will study business-related elective subjects, such as:
- Business mathematics & statistics
- Principles of Accounting
- Principles of Commerce
- Economics
A Levels
A-Levels are a British-standard educational qualification issued by the General Certificate of Education (GCE). The above options are administered by the Pakistani educational authorities, while A-Levels is an international standard qualification. As an A-Level student, you will likely study 3 subjects. Moreover, your final exams will be invigilated by the British Council.
There are a wide variety of subjects offered in A-Levels, for students of science, business, or humanities. These subjects include physics, chemistry, biology, computer studies, business studies, economics, accounting, psychology, law, etc…
Keep in mind that after the completion of A-Levels, your result must be equivilated to HSSC to be recognized by Pakistani universities.
Clearly, there is no shortage of study options after the matric exams. Whether you opt for Intermediate or A-Levels, there are many subject options according to your interest. However, you should research each subject group and read the syllabus and past papers to determine what is right for you.