“What should I do? I failed my XII. My life is over. Can I repeat Class 12? SHOULD I repeat?”
If this is going on in your mind, keep reading. Failing your 12th board exams can feel overwhelming, but it’s not the end of your life, or your journey. In fact, it is just the beginning. Many students face setbacks in their academic journey; how you respond to it is the real test, and will then shape your future. This article is a guide to help you navigate through this challenge and turn this “failure” into something better. Here are some steps that can help you get back on track and build a successful life.
1. This Is The First Step -
1.1. Re-evaluation of Papers & Compartment Exams:
If you think your exams went better than what your results show, consider sending your papers for re-evaluation. The school sends your papers back to the concerned board for rechecking.
If you have failed in one or two subjects, education boards give you a achance to redeem yourself and pass in the compartment exams. Meaning, you can avoid losing an entire academic year. These exams usually happen a few months after the result, giving you time to prepare and clear the subjects you’ve struggled with. It is extremely important to approach these exams with a strategy.
1.2. Repeating Class 12:
In case you have failed in more than two subjects, repeating Class 12 might be the better option to gain a better understanding of the subjects and clear them again. One advantage of repeating is that you get a fresh start, with more time to focus on the subjects you struggled in. Here, it is important to not let the societal thoughts and murmurs affect you. “What will people think? I failed XII, I’m not worth it,” etc. it is essential that you prioritize your studies over stigmatized gossip. This is also the time to work on your time management and study strategies, which will pay off in the long run.
2. Alternative Education Paths
If you are not keen on the idea of repeating Class 12, or are not able to repeat due familial or societal reasons, there are plenty of alternative education paths out there for you to pursue, and result in fulfilling career opportunities. These options allow you to start your career early. Though not the conventional route, it allows you to develop specialized skills, putting yourself ahead of others in the competitive job market you will enter.
2.1. Vocational Courses:
Vocational classes are focused on the hands-on, practical training for occupations in the workforce. You can pursue courses related to digital marketing, graphic designing, fashion designing, web development, etc. which enables you to carve skills out of industry needs. The duration of these programs varies — from 3-month courses to a years worth of course load. You may begin with the shorter courses to get you working and earning quicker.
E.g. After taking up a digital marketing course, one can start their career as a content creator, social media manager, do digital marketing, allowing them to work from home, etc. and gaining real-world experience.
2.2. Diploma Courses:
The technical diploma courses such as hotel management, event management, animation, electronics, etc. provide knowledge on subjects that allow a student to find a particular job in that field. Why shorter than the usual degree programs, that allows you to start your career earlier.
E.g. If you pursue a diploma in hotel management, you could get a job in the hospitality sector, where you can gain practical experience in customer service, management, and operations while earning a salary.
2.3. Open Schooling:
Open schooling allows you to study your education courses around your schedule. This option is perfect for students who have to work, have their own individual responsibilities, or a person who wants to study at their own pace. Through open-schooling, you can pass all your 12th board examination in the way that you want and not according to any time-table. One of the most popular open schooling institutions in India is National Institute of Open Schooling, or NIOS.
3. Who Will Hire a 12th Fail: What Can You Do?
Failing in Class 12 might feel like a setback, but as they say - when one door closes, two doors open. Here are some career paths that you can consider after failing the 12th exam:
3.1. Management Courses:
You can pursue a diploma in business management, hotel management, event management, etc. This ensures that these courses would only prepare you for dynamic roles in industries such as hospitality, tourism, event planning, etc. This type of training is highly desirable for prospective employers across all sectors.
E.g. With a diploma in event management, you can work as a corporate event organizer, wedding planner, an event manager for public festivals, etc., thus creating a plethora of creative engagement.
3.2. Creative Fields:
If you think you have a knack in the creative line, consider going for fashion designing, interior designing and graphic designing, all proving to be great and upcoming career options. Though these are niche job sectors, there's a surge and growing demand for them, as more organizations are looking to create unique selling points in the market. Courses in these subjects are shorter and more skills based.
E.g. A professional in interior designing can work as a designer in a real estate company, architecture firm or a retail store.
3.3. Technological Industries:
Technology is rapidly growing in India, and naturally, so are tech-based workfields. Fields that are skyrocketing and also give you the benefit of remote work are - coding, web-development, data science, digital marketing are skyrocketing. You can learn them by enrolling in short-term courses, and develop skills for a pool of jobs.
E.g. A diploma in web-development allows you to work with companies and organizations, creating and maintaining websites for them.
4. Your Mental Health Matters More Than a Label
Failing in Class XII may feel like your life is over. In India, we give so much importance and emphasis on a student’s marks. Society defines a student by their academic achievements. It is hard to accept words like “failed” or “failure,” when you have worked so hard for months, or even years, but have not gained the expected outcome. It can be an emotional situation for both you and your family. Whatever decision you make, it should be in your best interest. People who have achieved heights - Steve Jobs, Walt Disney, Bill Gates, etc. faced academic setbacks as well. They did not stop and worked hard to achieve greatness. YOU are not a failure. You went THROUGH a failure, which is a part of your developmental journey.
Mistakes happen. Our job is to learn from them. It is a hard fact that you failed XII. be resilient and strong. If you delve into the negativity, it will affect you in harmful ways. Instead, understand and reflect on where you went wrong and how you can improve.
Stay Motivated:
Remember that dream you have - of studying abroad? Buying a house? A car? Dont forget it. This period is just a temporary setback. Set goals you want to achieve in your academic journey. Take one step at a time and do not tense, or panic. This will help you remember your goal and stay on track, especially when things seem rough. Remember, it is about always getting up after falling down.
5. How Career Counselling Can Help You Move Forward
In this time of uncertainty and self-doubt, a career counsellor can help you through this hurdle. A trained professional will help you through your emotions and feelings regarding the whole matter. They will further, if you need, assess your strengths, interests, and skills, helping you explore a range of education options, tailored for you. They may also tend to your parents and help you communicate with them better.
6. Is Repeating Class 12 the Right Option?
“Repeating Class 12” is a stigmatized statement in our society. If you feel that repeating the year will benefit you in the long-run, go for it. You will have to block out the judgements; it can feel like a daring decision, but choose what you feel is best. If you believe that this additional time and focused effort could help you understand the subjects more effectively, it may be worth contemplating. However, this choice should be made after weighing all options and deciding what’s best for you now, and how it will impact your future.
It’s Never Too Late to Restart
While repeating Class 12 is an option, it’s not the only way forward. There are various alternative paths, like vocational courses or diploma programs, that allow you to build a successful career without waiting another year. These alternatives can be equally rewarding, allowing you to gain practical skills and enter the workplace earlier than others. The key is to focus and not give up.
Ultimately, the decision of repeating Class XII depends on your situation and what you believe in. It is worth exploring all your options before making a permanent decision.
