SIPHOSETHU Mlonzi from Birchleigh High School matriculated with eight distinctions.
He said he was shocked, grateful and very pleased when he got the news.
He has always been a very diligent student and the matric exams were no exception. Mlonzi always started to study two weeks before an exam. He made summaries and used other resources like study guides in the library and watched learning programmes.
Mlonzi said he always encouraged study groups. When students learn together they can help each other where one may have trouble with a certain area of the work.
What gave him the edge, he believes, is that he would go to teachers in advance and ask what sections of the work would be discussed in class. He then read up on it beforehand, so when it was discussed, he already had a feel for it.
Mlonzi also credits his family and teachers for their support. “Without their support and encouragement this would not have been possible.”
His mother, Andisa Mahlamvu, said Mlonzi phoned her to tell her about his results on the day it came out. She was so grateful and cried with joy.
Mahlamvu said she never pressured or pushed Mlonzi to study, because he is a very disciplined and self determined young man.
His favourite subject was Alpha Maths, because it both challenged him and helped him with his normal maths. The subject is only taught in Afrikaans, so it was even harder for him. But he pushed through and landed 95% for Alpha Maths.
Mlonzi said when studying for different subjects, one has to utilise different study methods. For Afrikaans First Additional Language, he made mind maps for the literature part, and for the language section he tried to speak the language and watched Afrikaans programming.
For maths, he said, it was a matter of knowing your method, knowing how to apply it and practising it.
Mlonzi loves to draw in his free time. He said his sketches was a way for him to relax and have fun.
He has already been accepted to study medicine at the University of Cape Town and will be going there in February.
Mlonzi has the following advice for 2014’s matrics: “Knowing how to plan is essential. Matric is a busy year and you have to know when to do what. Do not lose focus on your end goal. Study ahead of time and don’t wait until the last minute.”
