Grade 11 and Matric already come with plenty of pressure. Between academics, exams, sport, friendships and everything else that comes with your final years of school, suddenly being expected to decide what you want to do with the rest of your life can feel like a lot.

Then come the applications.

What should you study? Where should you study? Should you move away from home? What does the qualification actually lead to? When should you apply? And what happens if your friends seem to have it all figured out while you don’t?

First things first: you don’t need to have your entire future mapped out at 17 or 18.

Choosing what and where to study is an important decision, but it should be an informed one, not a rushed one.

At The Aleit Academy, we meet students at this exact stage every year. So, if you’re in Grade 11 or Matric and starting to think about tertiary education, here are a few things you can do now to make the process a little easier.

1. Start With What You Actually Enjoy

Before searching for institutions, start with yourself.

Which subjects do you enjoy? What are you naturally good at? What kind of environment energises you? Do you enjoy working with people? Are you creative? Organised? Analytical? Practical? Do you like solving problems or taking the lead?

And perhaps most importantly: What can you picture yourself enjoying every day?

Your answers don’t necessarily need to point towards one specific job. Instead, look for patterns.

For example, if you love people, creativity, organisation, travel, problem-solving and working in fast-paced environments, a career in events or hospitality could open several different doors.

2. Consider Career Guidance or an Aptitude Assessment

Still have absolutely no idea? That’s okay.

A career counsellor, aptitude assessment or career-interest assessment can be a useful starting point. These tools consider areas such as your interests, abilities, personality and strengths and can introduce you to careers you may not previously have considered.

But remember: an aptitude test doesn’t get to decide your future.

Use the results as guidance rather than a rulebook. Combine them with your interests, ambitions and the type of life and working environment you see yourself enjoying.

3. Don’t Choose a Career Just Because Your Friend Did

This one is important. Your best friend may be heading to university in Stellenbosch. Your sibling may have studied accounting. Your parents may have always pictured you following a particular career.

But you’re the one who will ultimately need to study the qualification and build the career. Your tertiary journey should be based on your strengths, interests and ambitions.

Friends can remain friends while studying in different places, promise!

4. Research the Career Before You Research the Course

It’s easy to fall in love with the name of a qualification without really knowing where it leads. Before applying, research the actual industry.

Ask:

• What does someone in this career do every day?
• What are the working hours like?
• What different career opportunities exist?
• What skills do employers look for?
• Will I enjoy the working environment?
• Is there room to grow or start my own business?

Better yet, speak to someone who actually works in the industry. If possible, job shadow them for a day. The reality of a career can be very different from what you see on Instagram or television.

5. Find the Institution That Fits YOU

Once you’ve narrowed down what you’d like to study, it’s time to compare institutions.

Don’t simply ask:

“Which institution is the best?”

Ask:

“Which institution is the best fit for me?”

A large university experience may be perfect for one student, while another may thrive in a smaller, more personal learning environment. When comparing tertiary institutions in South Africa, consider the following:

Accreditation

This should be one of your first checks. Make sure you understand whether the institution and qualification or programme you’re considering are appropriately registered or accredited.

Don’t be afraid to ask an institution to explain its accreditation clearly.

Course Content

Look beyond the course title. What will you actually study? Which subjects or modules are included? How is the qualification structured? And does the curriculum match what you want to do after graduating?

Practical Experience

This is particularly important for industries such as events and hospitality. Ask how much of your learning will happen outside the classroom.

Are internships included? Will you work on real events? Is there job shadowing? Will you have opportunities to interact with industry professionals?

At The Aleit Academy, practical industry exposure forms a significant part of our approach to education because knowing the theory and being able to apply it in the real world are two very different things.

Class Size

Would you prefer a lecture hall filled with hundreds of students or a smaller environment where your lecturers know who you are? Neither is necessarily right or wrong, but knowing how you learn best can make a big difference.

At Aleit Academy, our annual Diploma intake is limited to 50 students, allowing for a more personal learning experience.

Career Opportunities

Ask what happens after graduation. Where are previous graduates working? What types of careers have they pursued? Does the institution have relationships with employers? Are internships available? Is there career or placement support?

A qualification should ultimately help you move towards the career you want.

Location & Accommodation

If you’ll be moving away from home, investigate the area as well as the institution. Where will you live? How far is your accommodation from campus? What transport will you need? What will everyday life cost?

Aleit Academy’s campus is located on Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West, with dedicated off-campus student accommodation options available nearby.

Cost

Don’t only compare the headline tuition fee. Ask what is included, what additional costs you should budget for, how payment works and whether payment plans or financial assistance options are available.

Understanding the full financial commitment from the beginning will help you and your family plan properly.

6. Visit the Campus Before You Decide

A website can tell you a lot. Actually walking through the doors can tell you much more.

Whenever possible, attend an Open Day or book a Campus Tour before making your final decision. Meet the lecturers. See the classrooms. Explore the surroundings. Ask questions. Speak to current students.

Most importantly, ask yourself: Can I picture myself here?

Sometimes that feeling tells you more than another hour of online research ever could.

7. Speak to Current Students & Alumni

Want to know what studying somewhere is really like? Ask the people who have actually done it.

Current students and graduates can offer a perspective that you won’t necessarily find in a prospectus. Ask them what they loved, what surprised them, what they found challenging and what they wish they had known before starting.

Social media can also be useful here. Look beyond the polished campaign content and pay attention to student experiences, practical work, campus activities, graduate stories and where alumni are working now.

8. Apply to More Than One Institution

It’s completely fine to have a first choice. It’s also sensible to have a Plan B.

Entry requirements, limited capacity and demand mean that applying doesn’t automatically guarantee acceptance. Create a shortlist of institutions that genuinely suit your goals and apply early.

Having options means that when acceptance letters start arriving, you get to make the decision.

9. Get Your Application Documents Ready

Application requirements differ between institutions, so always check exactly what your chosen institution requires.

Depending on where and when you’re applying, you may be asked for documents such as:

• A completed online application
• A copy of your ID or passport
• Your latest school results
• Your Matric certificate, if you’ve already completed Grade 12
• Parent, guardian or sponsor information
• Proof of payment of an application fee, where applicable
• Additional documents required for international students

Create a folder on your computer or cloud storage specifically for tertiary applications and keep clear, good-quality copies of everything together. Future you will be very grateful.

10. Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

Apply early.

Even if an institution accepts applications over an extended period, popular programmes may have limited spaces. At The Aleit Academy, for example, we accept a maximum of 50 students into our Diploma intake each year.

Applying early gives you more time to work through the admissions process, consider your options, arrange accommodation, investigate funding and prepare for the transition from school to tertiary education. It also removes one very big item from your Matric-year to-do list.

11. Don’t Forget About Study Mode

Tertiary education doesn’t always mean attending classes on campus five days a week.

Depending on what you want to study, you may have options including:

• Full-time study
• Part-time study
• Online learning
• Distance learning
• Short courses and skills programmes

Think about your circumstances and what type of learning environment will suit you.

At Aleit Academy, students can choose between our full-time Diploma in Event Coordination on our Lourensford campus and our Online Compact Course in Event Coordination Support for those looking for a more flexible way to develop practical industry skills.

12. Remember: Your First Choice Doesn’t Define Your Entire Future

This might be the most important thing on this list. Your first qualification does not necessarily determine the exact job you’ll have for the rest of your life.

Careers evolve.

You may start out wanting to coordinate weddings and discover a love for corporate events. You may study events and move into marketing, styling, hospitality, venue management or production. You may eventually start your own business.

That’s why it can be valuable to choose a field that develops transferable skills and exposes you to different career paths.

What Happens Once You’re Accepted?

Firstly, celebrate! Then read your acceptance communication carefully.

Make note of any deadlines, conditions of acceptance, deposits or initial payments required to secure your place, registration dates and outstanding documentation. And don’t stop working just because you’ve received an acceptance letter.

If your offer depends on your final Matric results, those final exams still matter.

Thinking About Studying Event Coordination?

If you’re creative, organised, people-focused and love the idea of a career where no two days necessarily look the same, the events industry might be worth exploring.

At The Aleit Academy, our approach combines academic learning with extensive practical industry experience, giving students the opportunity to learn both in the classroom and in the real world.

Our campus is based on Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West, and our Diploma students are exposed to the wider events and hospitality industry throughout their studies. But don’t simply take our word for it.

Come and see it for yourself.

Book a Campus Tour, explore our Diploma in Event Coordination, download our prospectus or apply online for 2027.

One Last Piece of Advice

Choosing what to do after school is a big decision, but it doesn’t need to be made all at once.

Research. Ask questions. Visit campuses. Speak to people in the industry. Explore your options. And give yourself permission not to have every answer yet.

Most importantly, don’t choose your future because it looks like someone else’s.

Choose the path that feels right for you.