Whether you decide to go to a university should depend on your interests and abilities, the amount of work you put into learning and if university will get you where you want to go. It does not matter if you are rich or poor, black or white, female or male. Boarding residences or distance learning are options for those who live far from their choice of university, or who prefer to study part-time.

Many of you already know that you want to go to university. Some might not believe it to be possible, despite doing well at school, perhaps because you are poor, or there is no university nearby, or nobody in your family has a degree. Some of you might not even have thought about what to do once your years at school are completed.

You must think about it soon, because when you choose your subjects in Grade 9 for Grades 10 to 12, the last thing you want to do is close off your chances of reaching for your dream. You want to be a star gazer? Pilot? Nurse? Designer? Computer whizz? Think about it now!

If your marks are in the top 20% of learners in your school year group, it is most likely that you have the academic talent to attend university. If you are in the top third, maybe you just need to work harder. Even if you are just floating by, do you have a special talent like music or mathematics or getting along with people? If you fit any of these descriptions, think about higher education.

How do I decide on a university education? -Try working backwards!

If you are one of those rare Grade 9s who knows exactly what you want to do one day, try working backwards: start with your chosen career and then look at what you need to do to achieve it. Check what subjects would be advisable to choose for next year, and in the coming years find out which university you could attend and how you could make it happen. Seek the advice and help of your family, teachers and any other person who may be able to help you.