THE final year of high school is a trying time for all matric learners. Matrics face an immense amount of pressure and stress and must write a series of examinations that test all they have learned in their previous 11 years of school. For matric learners, their final year is one of the biggest challenges they have to face, and despite all these challenges, many learners end the year triumphantly. With final results having been released this week, Berea Mail spoke with Durban Girls’ College learner and top achiever, Shannon Blades, to find out how she conquered her final year of school.

Despite facing health challenges and a stroke that affected her handwriting, speech and language, Shannon achieved a bachelor’s degree pass with an average of 87,6%, and for all seven of her subjects, she received a rating of 7 that means she received all As and all her marks ranged from 80%–100%.

Shannon says she entered the year knowing that it would be difficult and that the workload would be intense. “But what kept me focused is the fact that I had worked hard throughout Grade 11, and I was prepared to go into matric with that same determination and work ethic.”

Shannon says that having started the year expecting it to go one way, and having it turn out completely differently, she has learned to expect the unexpected and to adapt to circumstances as best as she can.

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The Durban Girls’ College learner faced many life-changing challenges, including suffering from a stroke. “My matric year was quite eventful. In the first week of the July holidays, I suffered a bilateral cerebellar stroke. I spent two weeks in ICU, followed by two weeks in patient rehabilitation before continuing my rehab at home. The stroke affected my balance and coordination, my fine and gross motor skills, my handwriting, my speech and my language. I had incredible support from my parents, teachers, medical specialists, therapists and friends, which I am extremely grateful for. With lots of hard work and rehabilitation, I was able to complete my final exams.”

As a top achiever at the school, Shannon says she has a great support system. “It’s hard to narrow down a single biggest motivator. I couldn’t have made it through the year without my parents’ support and their constant belief in me. I’ve always been quite self-driven to do the best that I can. This past year, simply doing the best I could to stand myself in good stead for university was a large source of motivation. Given the event of my stroke, I was motivated to work hard on my rehabilitation so that I could put my best foot forward in finals.”

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Still in rehabilitation since her stroke, Shannon is positive about the future. “One of my goals is to keep up with my rehabilitation and make a full recovery as I still have a way to go. This year, I will be studying Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Stellenbosch. I’m looking forward to this exciting new chapter!”

Her advice to matric learners: “The year will fly by. Give it your best shot, and work consistently from the beginning. Your teachers are there to support you – use the resources available to you. Try and manage your work-life balance to prevent burnout. It will be tough at times, but enjoy your last year and try to soak up all the memories you can.”