What next after KCSE? Practical steps for candidates while waiting for results

When you’re done with KCSE, what next? You travel back home and just rest. For when you rest, you don’t rust. But as you rest, you must pause and reflect deeply on the good gift of life. Then, become imaginative, creative, innovative and productive. Start building and painting the nation. Now know, life is a journey, not a destination. It’s a journey of self-discovery and recovery. For true transition, progress and success, dodge pitfalls and pratfalls rife in life. Before you leave school, clear with all authorities. Build bridges. Mend fences.

Choose reconciliation. Forgive, and seek forgiveness from peers and teachers. If possible, donate uniforms. Out of school, be patriotic. Remain a sane citizen. Obey the laws of the land. If you are 18 and above, apply for a national ID and KRA PIN certificate. Likewise, open a bank account. The three applications will assist in the acquisition of HELB and scholarships while matriculating into university and college. Also, having a bank account is a breakthrough step in making money. As a young adult, start thinking of legit ways of making money. Then, ensure you have an email account ready for correspondence with serious people. Begin to win.

Yearn to learn. Build networks for mutual gain. Read widely to become better and smarter upstairs. Be keen on the right mental inputs. For your mortal mind obeys the GIGO Principle: Garbage in, garbage out. So, make wise use of all forms of media. More so, social media. Advisedly, choose movies and music that build the might of the mind. Use free time to engage in creative activities. Enrol in the best short courses. As you wait for the release of results, yearn to learn more about the choice of courses on the KUCCPS portal. Upskill – Sharpen skills. More so, soft skills, employability skills and life skills. Discover inborn talents. Lift every gift God gave you. Volunteer your services somewhere. Serve with love. Expose yourself to useful stuff. Choose the right role models and mentors in life. For there is a heroic book titled The Lessons of Experience, which states: People learn 50% from experience, people learn 10% from formal education, people learn 20% from failure, and people learn 20% from mentors and coaches. Therefore, be wise, not otherwise. Move closer to God. Build a profound bond with family and friends. Don’t give up. Whatever life presents, don’t surrender to the jaws of defeat or depression. Depend on God to repair your despair. Then, when life gives you lemons, don’t ask for oranges. Instead, make lemonade.

When KCSE results are out, you will score grades ranging from A to E. Whatever mean grade you get, ascend to the highest room in life. Read: Why A Students Work for C Students and B Students Work for the Government by Robert Kiyosaki. Somewhat, people desire to get to the top using the lift. But if you miss the gift of a lift, you have to use a tiresome staircase. So, your journey will be a long haul. But whatever life offers you, rise to the tip of the top. Hold on to the right rope. Don’t lose hope. For hope props people up to the top. More importantly, it’s wise to remain sane and sober at all times. So, avoid drugs and substance abuse. Avoid forms of pleasure and mad or mud fun that fan funeral and premature death. Avoid criminal gangs. Don’t become a goon due to the lure of lucre. Shun sexual perversion. Avoid bad company. Avoid betting and gambling. Don’t burn books. For every season has a reason. Life is a journey. Not a destination. As you travel, keep writing a travelogue. Bon voyage!

Victor Ochieng’ is a career educator. He guides Form 4 Leavers on making informed career choices. Purpose: to join his weekly online Transition Talks on the Zoom platform for good guidance and advice. Contact: vochieng.90@gmail.com. 0704420232