“I was motivated to excel to achieve my education and career goals”

Driven by the opportunities that he would be able to achieve by excelling in matric, Nihal Maharaj worked meticulously; and his efforts were not in vain.

Nihal, 18, who matriculated from Clifton College, attained seven distinctions in the Independent Examinations Board exam.

His subjects comprised English, Afrikaans, maths, physical science, information technology and life orientation, as well as engineering, graphic and design.

“My biggest motivation was knowing that my matric results would open doors to higher education opportunities and my dream career. I set clear goals for each term, and seeing my progress after every test or examination encouraged me to keep going,” said Nihal.

He said he prioritised his academics, but also made time to participate in extracurricular activities that helped him manage his stress-levels.

“I also limited social media use during the week and spent quality time with family on weekends. Maintaining this balance allowed me to stay refreshed, while focusing on my studies.”

Nihal said he was grateful for his strong support structure.

“The support from my parents, sister, grandparents, teachers and friends kept me driven. My parents and other family members gave me emotional support and ensured I had a comfortable environment in which to study. My friends kept me motivated, and we encouraged each other to do our best. My teachers were also instrumental in simplifying complex topics and providing extra lessons when needed."

Nihal's advice to the matric class of 2025 is to work consistently throughout the year, but maintain a balanced lifestyle, by staying active and studying regularly.

He intends on studying mechatronics engineering at the University of Cape Town.

POST