By Siyambulela Tyindyi, additional reporting by Seithati Leotla
“Three years. That’s how long it took for me to quit a course that I wasn’t enjoying, all for the sake of making umzali [parent in isiXhosa/ isiZulu] happy.”
When Dlamini Zizi Makepula shared his story on Facebook last year, the comments section lit up. Hundreds of young people jumped in to say they had gone through the same thing.
“I think this is the sign I needed,” responded Asiphe, who was in her final year of study. “I was contemplating whether I should finish my Diploma in Economics… and then first year again with the course I really want to do – BComm Accounting”.
Across South Africa, many students pick degrees because of family pressure, fear of poverty or the promise of a stable job rather than an actual interest in the career. Others, who are worried about bein left behind, take whatever course will accept them with NSFAS support. Because the scheme requires students to apply to up to three institutions and programmes, some students apply for qualifications far removed from their original ambitions after being turned away from their first choice.
Behind those statistics are hundreds of students who feel stuck, burned out and ashamed to admit that the degree they worked so hard to get into is just not what they want – or imagined.
Dropout rates vary across universities, courses of study and funding status. Research on South African first-year attrition rates suggests South African universities can lose between 35–60 percent of a first-year cohort before graduation, depending on the institution and course of study. While students drop-out for reasons ranging from money to family problems, wrong course choices rank highly.
Mental health hit
In his Facebook post, Mapekula admitted that he pushed through three years in a science degree he already knew was wrong from his first year. He described panic attacks, hospital visits and therapy sessions, all hidden behind a calm face and good marks. On paper he was coping. Inside, he was breaking.
His story lines up with research. A BMC Public Health study at a South African university found that first-year students with moderate to severe depression symptoms were roughly two to three times more likely to fall behind academically than their peers.
Students in demanding programmes such as Engineering and Science were especially at risk, while those from well-resourced schools or who received financial aid were less likely to experience “progression delay” – falling behind or repeating years.
Course fit matters too. A study published in a US journal showed that when young people land in degrees that do not suit their interests or strengths, the impact is not just academic. Poor career fit is linked to long-term stress, low self-esteem and symptoms of depression that can follow people into their working lives.
Expectation trap
Even when students realise they chose the wrong course, changing direction can feel impossible. Some fear disappointing their parents who sacrificed to get them into university. Others worry that switching will mean losing NSFAS funding or adding extra years they cannot afford.
Without proper career guidance in Grade 9 before subject choices are made in Grade 10, students often make rushed decisions driven based on what others expect, not on what they are good at or what they enjoy. This leaves them stuck in a cycle where switching feels like failure and staying feels like slowly drowning.
For many students, the pressure to stay in a course they do not like does not just affect their grades, it takes away their confidence and how they see themselves. Even though most universities offer free counselling or wellness services, many students still suffer in silence. Instead of reaching out, they internalise their struggles, fearing what it says about them to need support.
Many problems could be avoided if students received good career guidance early on in life. The workplace is constantly changing with technology and globalization transforming the way people work.
A career path begins the moment one chooses their subjects in Grade 10. It is highly recommended that parents engage in discussions with their children to explore the different educational pathways available to them. The quality of career guidance in schools leads young people to choose career paths based on financial gain or ease of pursuing the career, this contributes to higher levels of school dropouts, failure rates, and lack of interest.
A 2024 study points out that Life Orientation teachers can be game changers if they team up with universities, TVET colleges and organisations, bringing in real-world voices who understand the world of work – particularly specialist careers about which they have no direct knowledge. This would ensure every learner has the tools and support they need to choose a career with confidence.
Universities need to think about better ways to reach out to Life Orientation and guidance counsellors. This means having alternative focuses for university career days to concentrate on Grade 9s rather than Grade 11 and matric students. Special interactions with school guidance counsellors during Open Days may also help.
For students who have already registered, better orientation for new students, regular check-ins on mental health, and ongoing career advice by the institution that is more than just CV tips for students who are thinking of jumping to another qualification. It is not just about grades but making spaces where students feel safe to be honest about what is going on, before it affects their studies or their health.
Choosing a course and career is deeply personal and it’s okay to take time figuring it out. While pressures and expectations can feel overwhelming, your mental well-being matters most.
Mapekula, who once stayed in a course just to make his mother proud, eventually switched paths and is now thriving in education.
“I LOVE my course. For the first time, I’m excited about attending my lectures. I’m excited when I have to present to my classmates,” he shared in a Facebook post.
Universities and families can offer support, but the first step is often finding the courage to listen to yourself. Your journey is yours alone and seeking help or making changes is a sign of strength, not failure.
Find help choosing your subjects or getting some general career guidance at CareerHelp.
Telephone: 086 999 0123
SMS/Text Message (please call me):072 204 5056
Email: careerhelp@dhet.gov.za
