“You Are Not Too Old”: 26-Year-Old Shares Experience of Going Back to High School

• A 26-year-old got back on track by going back to high school to secure a better future for herself after deciding to finish her senior year
• The lady shared the benefits of her good decision and how her journey worked out for the best after the release of the matric results
• South Africans praised the lady in a thread of 1.1K followers that helped generate 1.2 million and she also offered a platform for others to tell their stories
•  Briefly News reached out to one of the Western Cape’s top achievers who shared tips on how to make it through the final year of high school

After the 2024 matric results were released last week, many South Africans have been considering returning to school.

Some of them would like to better their chances of getting into university by upgrading their marks.

26-year-old shares experience of going back to school

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Returning to high school to better your education might sound like a great idea, but the thought of sharing the classroom might discourage and bruise your ego. One Mzansi lady focused on the thought of accomplishing her dreams and kept her eye on the prize.

A 26-year-old woman named Yolanda Magadlela shared her unique journey of returning to high school to acquire her matric certificate with over 1.2 million people.

Magadlela admitted that the journey was filled with challenges as she also attended 3 am classes where she sometimes napped. After an entire year of perseverance, she made her dream of passing matric come true:

“I thank God and my family for the support.”

She shared her story on TikTok with the caption:

“You are not too old to return to school. You can still go back and make yourself proud.”

See the TikTok post below:

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Western Cape Top achiever shares tips to make through matric

One of Western Cape’s matric top achievers, Iviwe Mkrwabo from Ilingelethu Secondary School in Malmesbury shared how scholars could achieve the same results as him when they reach matric:

“Grade 12 was a combination of hard work and dedication. Behind my hard work, I had goals that seemed impossible to reach. I believe the sky is not the limit because there are footprints on the moon. I worked smart and tirelessly to reach my goals.

“I was not just dedicated, I'm also disciplined. That helps me to be punctual. My punctuality reduced my stress levels. My dedication helped me to be persistent, I don't focus on excuses, I progress. In my progression, I effectively used what was around me. I used what I had. I didn't make any excuses, I progressed with what I had.”

The young man faced many challenges but did not let them get in the way of his studies:

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“One of the challenges I faced was distraction at home. I had to do house chores, which I believe they were just time-consuming for me. Balancing academics, household chores and personal responsibilities was the biggest challenge for me. I wish my school had a residence for grade 12 learners.

“Another challenge was dealing with exam pressure and stress. Trials and final exams were a significant source of stress and anxiety. But in every circumstance, I managed to rise in the face of adversity.”

Being recognised as top achievers meant a lot to the young scholar who said:

“This award means the whole world to me because it validates the hard work, dedication, and perseverance I have invested in my studies. I appreciate the support from my family, teachers, and community.

“I'm so grateful for this recognition, and it will forever be a reminder of the power of passion, resilience, and determination.”

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Mzansi reacts to 26-year-old returning to school to finish matric

Social media users applauded the lady’s brave decision to better her education:

@MASISHI❤️❤️ explained:

“I went back to Grade 10 at the age of 19 and passed my matric at the age of 21. I graduated from University at the age of 26, and I became the first graduate at home. God is good.”

@@Andilenkosi26 shared:

“I went to school last year at the age of 28 years and passed with a bachelor's. I was so proud of myself.”

@Zinzile Ngomane said:

“I rewrote my matric last year at the age of 43. I passed with a diploma and was accepted at Sants College for teaching. Thank God, let's push while we can.”

@Thembelihle Mofokeng commented:

“I'm turning 29. I really wish I had the courage earlier.”

@Nandy wrote:

“My mom went back to high school in her late 40s wearing uniforms, and she eventually did her admin and qualified. It taught me it’s never too late to try.”

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3 More education-related stories by Briefly News

• South Africans celebrated a young scholar living with a disability for making it in the top achievers list of the class of 2024
• Mzansi parents were worried about their children's safety once the schools reopened for the 2025 academic year
• A 27-year-old was appointed as the head for mathematics at the Ramaphosa Secondary School for her excellence

Source: Briefly News