PUPILS who have failed matric or attained poor symbols still have a chance to improve their results with supplementary exams.

Last year Tshepiso Ralehlathe failed matric after losing focus in two subjects.

First she lost interest in mathematics and physical science, which caused her interest to slump in class.

The former Queens High School pupil had thought she had studied enough to pass.

"Both subjects were boring. I thought I knew everything. Slowly, I started slacking," she said.

Unbelievably she failed the exams, disappointing her family and friends, who knew her level of intelligence.

"I did well in every other subject. I never expected to fail. The pressure of matric was fine for me," she said.

"Failing was a big deal. I hardly ate or left my room for days. Crying was the only thing I could do. I was literally suicidal.

"It does not help to think you know everything when you don't," she added.

While working in retail, Ralehlathe wrote her supplementary examinations last year. She will study journalism at Boston Media House this year.

"I love talking and writing," she said.

"I have a jump-start into the career world and getting paid is fun."

She admits that the time off was her biggest motivation. "The break made me enthusiastic to go back to school and now I am ready to jump into the real world."

She encourages matriculants who failed not to give up.

"Finish what you have started. This (failing) can happen to anyone. If you give up, what's the point?"

Supplementary examinations will be written in February.