There is something about university results day that changes the atmosphere. Phones are checked more often than usual. Students refresh their portals repeatedly, hoping for good news or preparing themselves for disappointment. Social media fills with celebratory posts, from those who passed, while others quietly disappear from the online world, unsure of how to process what they have just seen.
As the University of Eswatini releases its results, thousands of students across the country are experiencing a mixture of relief, joy, regret and uncertainty. For some, this marks another successful step towards graduation. For others, it is a painful reminder that their academic journey has become longer than they had planned. Yet behind every result is a human story. A transcript records grades but it does not reveal the sleepless nights spent studying under poor lighting, the student who attended lectures on an empty stomach, the young person who balanced coursework with caring for younger siblings. It does not show the students who walked kilometres because transport money was unavailable, nor the one who battled anxiety, grief or even illness while trying to meet assignment deadlines.
Education is presented as a straightforward path which involves working hard, passing examinations, graduating and securing employment. Reality is rarely that simple. For many students in the country, higher education is a daily struggle against financial hardship, emotional pressure and an uncertain future. This is why results should be celebrated with humility. Those who have passed deserve every congratulations. Their success reflects discipline along with sacrifice and determination. Behind every Distinction are countless hours in libraries, late-night revision sessions and courage to keep going when giving up seemed easier.
Nonetheless, success should never become a reason to look down on those whose names are not on the list of top performers. Academic achievement is important but compassion is equally valuable. To the students who failed one or more modules, today may feel devastating. You may believe you have disappointed your family or wasted valuable time and even question whether university is the right place for you. It is not the end! Many successful professionals, entrepreneurs and public leaders have experienced failure at some point in their educational journey.
What distinguished them was not an uninterrupted record of high grades but the willingness to stand after failing. Elon Musk once said: “Persistence is very important; you should not give up unless you are forced to give up.” Failing should not be romanticised, but neither should it become a life sentence. Take it as a teacher that exposes weaknesses and, on the other hand, encourages resilience and set a reminder that growth rarely occurs inside our comfort zones.
The true purpose of education extends far beyond examinations. Universities exist not only to produce graduates but to shape thinkers and responsible citizens. A degree is valuable but so are integrity, curiosity and the ability to solve problems. These qualities cannot always be measured in percentages. Parents also have an important role during this season. While naturally hoping for excellent results, they should remember that students need support more than criticism. A disappointing transcript should become the beginning of an honest conversation rather than the end of a dream. Words spoken in moments of disappointment often remain with young people for years. Encouragement does not lower standards, rather, it strengthens the confidence needed to improve. Lecturers and university administrators equally carry a responsibility. Academic excellence should remain the goal, but institutions must continue to create environments where students can seek academic support without fear of judgement. Mental health services are no longer optional extras; rather, they are an essential component of student success. Government, too, has a stake in the conversation. Investing in education means more than constructing lecture halls or increasing enrolment numbers. It means ensuring that capable students are not forced to abandon their studies because they cannot afford tuition, accommodation and learning essentials. One positive step that deserves recognition is the Ministry of Education’s decision to increase the monthly student allowance from E1 690 to E2 000. Although some may argue that E2 000 is still insufficient given the current cost of living, the adjustment portrays a willingness to invest in students and ease some of the financial pressures that distract them from their studies.
Well, working hard still matters. There is no substitute for commitment or discipline. Talent opens doors, but sustained effort keeps them open. Students should continue attending lectures, reading beyond prescribed textbooks and making use of every learning opportunity available to them. Hard work does not guarantee immediate success, but it significantly increases the likelihood of achieving meaningful goals. A single set of results cannot define the value of a human being. Grades measure academic performance at a particular moment. They do not measure character or even future potential. After all, life is all about learning to rise every time life tests you.
