HARD work, dedication, keeping your stress levels down and time with your friends are just some of the key aspects to have a successful matric year. Just ask Northwood School matric pupil Kashir Jagdish Gopal who tied for the third in the top 10 pupils in KZN for Quintile 5 and Umlazi districts.

Gopal was among a number of matriculants honoured last week by KZN education MEC Peggy Nkonyeni at Durban’s ICC. It capped a watershed year for the 18-year-old who was named the school’s DUX. Not only did he achieve 7As but he also had a 95 per cent average.

The Effingham resident said being honoured at the ICC was a huge shock.

“I expected 7As but not I didn’t expect anything further than that. When they announced I had made the top 10, I was excited and extremely happy. It was a bit nerve wracking walking up on stage,” Gopal admitted.

When asked if there was a secret formula for a successful matric year, Gopal said hard work and planning were extremely important.

“I didn’t really have study time, I read ahead for my subjects. I also worked a lot with past papers. My advice would be not to stress, it becomes your greatest enemy. It’s not easy but you have to find a healthy balance between studying hard and relaxing,” he said.

Gopal has decided to pursue a business science degree at the University of Cape Town (UCT).

“I applied for actuarial science and business science at UCT and was accepted for both. But I decided to go with the business science degree. It’s going to be tough but it’s a challenge I’m looking forward to. My brother who lives in Cape Town said doing business science is like going into Grade 16, not 13,” he explained.

Kashir’s matric by numbers

Accounting-98 per cent
Maths-97 per cent
Afrikaans and Physical Science-96 per cent
Life Sciences-95 per cent
Life Orientation-89 per cent