Seven top matriculants give us their keys to success

Seven outstanding matric pupils emerged as the shining stars of their schools.

These young scholars not only secured the top spots in their class but also have a wealth of wisdom to share with fellow students on the journey to matriculation success.

In no particular order…

1. Meet Crawford International North Coast’s top pupil: Daisy Pybus

Daisy Pybus was the North Coast’s top IEB matriculant for 2023, with eight distinctions and an average of 94.62%.

What study habits or techniques did you find most effective?

I am definitely a visual learner so making colourful notes with lots of diagrams is my go to, but I also like to supplement this with flash cards which allow me to practice active recall methods. I also made sure to do as many past papers as I could.

What advice do you have for current and future students?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and engage in class as much as possible. My best learning happened during the more casual discussions in class where everyone was contributing. Make sure you understand a concept before committing it to memory. Being able to apply yourself and your knowledge is a far more valuable tool than regurgitation. Above all, have fun and don’t underestimate the value of taking breaks. It’s your last year of high-school – you deserve to enjoy it.

Did you participate in any extracurricular activities?

I tried to participate in as many activities beyond academics as possible, from playing keeper as the captain of my hockey team to performing on stage in our school’s production. It was these hobbies that truly kept me sane.

Plans for 2024 and beyond?

I’m heading to UCT to study medicine. I hope to eventually specialize in trauma and emergency surgery so that I might help people in areas where medical care is not typically available and work for NGOs like Doctors Without Borders.

2. Meet Ashton International College Ballito’s top IEB student: Diyajal Dass

Diyajal Dass bagged nine distinctions and an average of 92%.

What study habits or techniques did you find most effective?

Eat healthy, use a study method that works best for you, have a solid study routine and also revise 2-3 weeks before the finals. Time management is key from day one.

Were there any particular subjects or topics that you found challenging, and how did you overcome them?

The most challenging subjects were maths, physics and life sciences. Revision and constant practice with maths and science were especially important, even if it was just for an hour over the weekends.

Did you participate in any extracurricular activities, and how did you balance them with your academic responsibilities?

My hobbies were reading, yoga and Pilates and I found my balance over the weekends, taking Friday afternoons to do yoga with mom, Pilates on Saturdays and reading a good book on Sundays.

3. Ashton International College Ballito’s top CAIE performer: Kyle Neethling

Kyle Neethling was the school’s top A level pupil with 12 distinctions and an average of 90.6%.

What study techniques did you find most effective?

This year, completing past papers has definitely been the best study technique for me. I would tell pupils to not put things off and to get tasks done when they are initially presented to you.

Procrastination causes unnecessary stress.

Did you participate in any extracurricular activities, and how did you balance them with your academic responsibilities?

I have taken piano lessons since I was in Grade R and I love running and mountain biking. I find if you have a calm approach to a busy schedule, instead of panicking about it your mind becomes clear and you are able to not only complete all responsibilities, but enjoy them.

Plans for 2024 and beyond?

I have been accepted by the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands to study actuarial science, and I hope to become a qualified actuary in Europe thereafter. I believe it is where my skills would be most valuable, but I’ll be visiting South Africa often, it’s a special country.

4. Meet Curro Salt Rock’s top performer: Brian Heeley

Top achiever Brian Heeley scored eight distinctions and an 86% average.

What study habits or techniques did you find most effective?

Past papers! Past papers! Past papers!

What advice do you have for current and future pupils?

Never be shy to ask questions. If you don’t understand something, ask.

Were there any particular subjects or topics that you found challenging, and how did you overcome them?

I found accounting and English challenging. I watched many online tutorials and had group study sessions with my friends which helped a lot.

Plans for 2024 and beyond?

I’m excited about my next adventure at Stellenbosch University where I plan to study mechatronic engineering. I’m grateful for my family, friends and teachers who supported me along the way.

5. Meet Durban Girls College top achiever: Zoe Pearson

Zoe Pearson walked away with an impressive 9 distinctions and an 96% average.

What study habits or techniques did you find the most effective?

Active recall is one of the crown jewels of studying. It is as easy as removing distractions, taking out a sheet of paper and writing down everything you know about the topic. Sounds simple? That’s because it is. Penning your knowledge onto a piece of paper can help you determine what sections you are confident in and which you need to work on. It also helps solidify neural pathways in your brain, which means less work in the long term.

What advice do you have for current and future students?

There is no magic formula. What works for me might not work for someone else. My advice is to make learning fun. Make it something that you look forward to. We often associate studying with boredom, but it does not have to be that way. Think of clever ways to make learning appeal to you.

Plans for 2024 and beyond?

I plan to study biomedical engineering in the Netherlands. What comes after that is something for the future to think about. All I know is that I want to create innovative solutions and new technologies to bridge the gap between the materially poor and the wealthy. The quality of a person’s healthcare should not be determined by the size of their bank account.

6. Meet Northlands High’s top achiever: Yaajna Ramthal

Yaajna Ramthal excels with a stunning 7 A’s in academic triumph.

What study habits or techniques did you find most effective?

Definitely going through eight years’ past papers and maintaining a balance between study, exercise and eating well. These are crucial to studying effectively and optimally. Avoiding and limiting time on social media during study breaks also helped.

What advice do you have for pupils who aspire to achieve academic excellence like you did?

Striving for academic excellence means self-discipline and knowing exactly what you wish to achieve – and taking the steps to get there. This includes doing what is required of you to achieve your goals irrespective of how many distractions and or temptations are around you. The main driving factor to excellence other than effort is one’s mindset. Staying positive and self-motivated despite difficulties are crucial.

Did you participate in any extracurricular activities, and how did you balance them with your academic responsibilities?
I was an executive pillar leader as well as vice-captain for indoor and outdoor hockey and I participated in numerous external Olympiads. I am also involved in community service organisations as I believe in giving back to society. These activities provided an escape, allowing me to destress and stay focused.

Plans for 2024 and beyond?

I’ll be studying actuarial science at Stellenbosch University on a bursary from a financial firm.

7. Meet Domino Servite school’s top achiever: Hananeel Hanekom

Hananeel Hanekom shines bright with 5 distinctions.

What study habits or techniques did you find the most effective?

Using a schedule is paramount to planning, so that you end up studying enough. I prefer using a 40 minute study with a 20 minute break timetable.

Did you participate in any extracurricular activities, and how did you balance them with your academic responsibilities?

I participated in numerous Olympiads as well as the brass band. I had a variety of hobbies, as well as singing in three different choirs. I found that planning when I would do my studies around other items that were fixed in my schedule helped me to keep up. One thing that helped reduce stress was to give myself time off to go fishing or shooting over the weekend. As long as I planned ahead to have time for homework, even if it was at 4am on Monday morning, I could still fit in school and feel like I had had a weekend.

Plans for 2024 and beyond?

My plans for this year are still unsure. I have started working and will probably do short courses or a diploma while I work until I have decided on a final degree, probably in a form of engineering which will start in 2025.

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