A group of pupils standing together showing thumbs up Top achievers in the IEB matric exams: Jessica Kelly from Thomas More College, Elizabeth Anderson from St Mary’s Diocesan School for Girls, and Uraav Jagdaw and Diya Ambaram, both from Crawford International La Lucia. Picture: Doctor Ngcobo Independent Newspapers
Independent Examinations Board (IEB) matric pupils said yesterday that strong support systems and personal resilience had helped them navigate the pressures of their final school year.
The pupils all appeared on the IEB’s Outstanding Achievements list for having achieved within the top 5% for six or more subjects.
For Uraav Jagdaw from Crawford International La Lucia, the 2024 academic year was the most demanding and stressful year he had faced.
Juggling the demands of academics, sports, and his leadership responsibilities tested his ability to maintain balance.
“Maintaining my belief in God served as a guiding force throughout matric and essentially helped me to mature into a more positive person, which assisted me in overcoming the obstacles I faced,” he said.
Uraav plans to study actuarial science, a field that aligns with his subject interests and, as he humorously noted, “they make lots of money”.
Reflecting on his success, he highlighted discipline and organisation as the keys to thriving in matric. “What you put in is what you get out,” he said, emphasising the importance of quality over quantity when it comes to studying.
He advised this year’s matrics to stay focused, learn from their mistakes, and avoid overconfidence.
Jessica Kelly from Thomas More College shared a similar experience of intense academic pressures, saying she found solace in her church and youth groups.
“A supportive community and a place to rejuvenate after a tough week of school made a significant difference,” she said.
Her advice for future matrics included building a support network, starting the year with a disciplined study routine, and persevering through difficult times.
Elizabeth Anderson from St Mary’s Diocesan School for Girls, said as a competitive hockey player, she faced the challenge of balancing her time between her rigorous training schedule and academics.
“I really had to develop good time management skills to achieve my goals in both aspects of my life,” she said.
Elizabeth credited her mother’s unwavering support in helping her manage her commitments. She plans to study robotic and computer engineering.
She encouraged matrics to experiment with learning methods, trust their teachers, and embrace their school community. “Enjoy every minute. This year goes by in the blink of an eye,” she said.
For Diya Ambaram from Crawford International La Lucia, the 2024 academic year went smoothly due to the support of her teachers.
Diya believes that hard work and perseverance were key to her success.
She emphasised the importance of balance: “While it’s important to prioritise your academics, one should also make memories and spend
time enjoying the last year of high school.”
Diya plans to study medicine this year, inspired by her parents, who are doctors.
She said their dedication to helping others had left an impression on her.
For the class of 2025, her advice is to create a routine from the start, use past papers as study tools, and never hesitate to ask teachers for help.
“Stay motivated and remember that you are not alone in your journey. Support one another and encourage each other to strive towards success,” she said.
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