Mpho Mukosi
Johannesburg - Top matriculant and self-confessed hard worker Divine Aderoju Olamide Adenubi says she has always persevered and never given up on her studies, as she knew the end result would be worth it.
According to the 18-year-old from Crawford International School in Lonehill, there was a misconception that grade 12 was more difficult for those who began preparing from the beginning of the year.
"I actually set my academic goals based on how I performed in 2021, which was (in) grade 11, because by the end of my grade 11 year I was able to identify what it was that I needed to improve on to do well, and from there I was able to formulate a plan on how I could best achieve my goals in my matric year," said Adenubi.
The bubbly matriculant added that she hard worked hard and tried to stay disciplined by switching off Netflix and opening her books; and with the help of her ‘amazing’ teachers, she was now going to be able to study medicine at her university of choice.
But the journey to achieving good results was not easy..
"One of the biggest challenges I had in my matric year was discipline; I had to learn the art of figuring out the difference between choosing to have a break and needing to have a break, because after long hours of studying that’s when you need a break and not because you feel like you are bored of the books, that was definitely something that was a challenge for me", said Adenubi.
Despite the challenges, she obtained six distinctions in her final exams, in Accounting, Afrikaans, Information Technology, Life Orientation, Mathematics and English.
"I would love to tell the class of 2023 to take it one step at a time and take everything as it comes because matric is overwhelming, matric will fight you, and you need to have the four sides to know how to fight back. Give it your all when it really comes, because all those little things do count. Study for everything when you still have time, and always ask for help when you fail with something," she said.
Adenubi also paid tribute to her ‘loving’ parents for being supportive.
"They played a pivotal role in helping me achieve my academic goals. Without them, I could not have come this far," she said.
The Star