Contrary to what your parents (and your relatives, and their relatives) might say, failing your 12th standard board exams is not the end of the world. And it definitely doesn’t mean that you aren’t smart or capable.
There are many possible reasons as to why you may not have passed your boards. Whether it’s personal, medical, or just plain luck, what’s happened has happened. Like they say, the past is in the past, and it’s time to look into your present and plan for your future.
So then, what are your options if you fail 12th board exams?
First Things First – Acceptance
Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and Steve Jobs. What do these three names have in common?
Besides being billionaires, they’re all college dropouts. That’s right.
Just because they didn’t get a traditional education doesn’t mean they didn’t succeed later on.
If you need more motivation that formal education isn’t everything, look at Kiran Jonnalagadda. The Bangalore-based young man cleared his PU (Pre-University) course after five attempts. You read that right – five.
By the time he’d finally passed his 12th standard, the rest of his former batch mates had already received their engineering degrees. However, Kiran’s story had just begun – he went on to become one of the core developers of the Human Protein Reference Database at the prestigious John Hopkin’s University.
Think of these four men as inspiration. Who’s to say that you can’t be a billionaire too?
Re-take Your Exams
Unlike Kiran, you may not need to retake your exams five times. It’s worth a shot, however, to give them at least one more try. The second time you write the exam often seems ten times easier. For a little extra push, get the assistance of a tutor.
Some tutors will even teach you right at home, so you can focus on what’s important – learning, and relearning. Hiring a home tutor allows for individual attention, something missing in most group tuition centers.
Go In For A Diploma Programme
A diploma programme is similar to a normal degree programme. However, it generally takes a shorter amount of time to complete one.
Diplomas are often awarded through community or technical schools, or through online universities like IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University).
If you’re worried that companies won’t hire you because you don’t have a ‘normal’ degree, don’t worry—most companies will give your diploma the same value and respect as a regular university degree.
Remember, failing your 12th board exams doesn’t mean failing in life.
Regardless of why you failed, your 12th grade marks are just one small part of your life, and don’t affect your future unless you cave in and let them. So keep trying: at some point in the future, you’re sure to succeed!