Achievers share their recipes for academic success

Remaining consistent amid the highs and lows of matric was key for St Dunstan’s College’s top achievers, who stayed motivated throughout their matric year.

Rynfield residents Karli Janeke and Jeong Eun Park bagged nine distinctions, while Aidan Jacobs of Kempton Park and Shivani Padayachee attained eight.

While these learners may have made it look easy, their achievements did not come without hard work.

According to Karli, matric was stressful with lots of pressure.

“I had to work hard. I had set high standards because I wanted to pursue a career in medicine. I made sure daily that I put in an hour or two to study. I placed my timetable on a whiteboard in my room to remind me to study. I realised that consistency takes the pressure off and avoids unnecessary panic.”

The 18-year-old will study medicine at Free State University.

Jeong Eun said she ensured she focused in class and used her free time in school to get her work done.

“I made a point to listen and understand while in class because it was difficult to study when out of class.”

The 18-year-old, who started her schooling career at Tom Newby School and then moved to St Dunstan’s College in Grade Eight, said she would study business administration to branch into accounting at Yonsei University in Korea.

Aidan, torn between studying medicine and Bcom accounting, said matric wasn’t as bad as he expected.

He always put more time into studying while his supportive parents offered him space.

“While studying, I used the Protégé Effect, which helped me to learn more effortfully. This means you take the body of work and teach it to an imaginary person by explaining it. It reinforces memory and understanding.

His message to the class of 2024 is, “Times can be tough, but make the most of the situation.”

Shivani, who started primary at St Dunstan’s Pre-School, said her academic year was demanding and came with a lot of pressure that she put on herself to do well.

“Supportive friends and family encouraged me that I was doing enough.

“My motivation was to make my parents proud because they had made sacrifices to enrol me and my brother in a private school. I wanted to make them proud with my marks to show them their hard work wasn’t in vain.”

She will study mechanical engineering.

“I’ve had a passion for engineering since I was a child. I enjoyed Meccano and Lego toys and have always been fascinated by planes and cars.”
She said that while in matric, it is crucial to plan.

“Find time anywhere in your day to read a chapter and revise. Tell yourself that ‘little is a lot‘,” said Shivani.

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