Pionier’s top matric, Ankia Saayman, is set to change the world for the better

PIONIER’S top matriculant, Ankia Saayman, says she has always known that she wanted to pursue a career in engineering.

“Engineering is a wide field. I have always had many interests and I have always wanted to do something that involves discovering new ways to help people… to make their lives better. That is why I decided to enroll for a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Potchefstroom, and then pursue a post grad qualification in Biomedical Technology. This combines all my interests perfectly.”

Ankia attributes her academic success in obtaining 7 A’s to her ability to set goals.

“I had already decided that I would get the results I wanted, no matter what came my way.”

However, the well-rounded teen stresses the importance of striving for balance at the same time.

“In matric, you have a lot of growing up to do, and a lot of responsibility is thrown on you. The best thing to do is to start early and stay on track. Matric is really busy so it’s all about time management. Every evening, I would revise that day’s work and also read through the next day’s work. That way I was prepared for the lesson. Because I revised every day, I was more relaxed during the exams. I didn’t have to work too hard because I already knew my work. I spent the time revising old notes and working through as many past papers as I could.

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“I did have time with friends. Fortunately, my group of friends understood each other’s schedules. We studied together and we also made time to have fun together. For most people, your matric year is the last time for high school friends to be together, so make time for the rest of life, not just academics.”

Ankia had spent the day moving into her sister’s apartment in Potchefstroom the day before the matric results were released. That morning her mum had to poke her, shake her and virtually sit on her to wake her up to check her results.

“Eventually, I gave my mum my student number and my phone so she could check . My mum was very excited when she saw that I had obtained seven A’s. Later, I contacted my friends and congratulated everyone on how well they had done.”

If things go according to plan, Ankia will be designing new medical equipment to diagnose and treat various conditions in the near future.

Ankia would like to thank her parents, friends and 1914.