Hayley Davison, Brescia House School Class of 2024, plans to pursue medicine after maintaining academic excellence despite challenges. Picture: Supplied
Hayley Davison, a class of 2024 learner from Brescia House School, managed her studies by finding a balance between completing her assignments at home and studying online.
Reflecting on her academic journey, she said managing a busy schedule, preparing for exams leading up to the finals, and completing the syllabus were her biggest challenges. However, she persevered and successfully overcame them by the end of her journey.
"It was a good year. I enjoyed my academics for the most part, except for assignments that I couldn't do as well as possible due to my schedule being busy. The exams were quite difficult but I found most of them to go well.
"My biggest highlight was enjoying matric with my friends and appreciating our last year of school. I also enjoyed bringing my academics to a close, such as finishing the syllabus and having the time to really practise and understand the work leading up to finals."
Hayley attained eight distinctions in the 2024 IEB matric exams.
She adds that she wants to pursue a career in medicine.
"I hope to study medicine at any university next year that accepts me given that medicine is difficult to get into."
Hayley further shared that during the peak of COVID-19, her biggest challenge was not being in a physical classroom. She had to build the confidence to ask questions while studying online, which she found particularly difficult.
"I found it difficult to interact with the teachers online and ask the questions I needed to. I also found it difficult to concentrate as we were not in the classroom. However, it did not affect my academics much at all in terms of my average," she said.
Her number one tip to the class of 2025 is to prioritise self-care and avoid burnout by taking proper breaks.
"I would advise the class of 2025 to try to stay focused as much as possible in academics even when tired but to also allow oneself to take breaks. Avoid burnout by taking proper breaks and be gentle with yourself by knowing that you have studied enough even if you feel like you haven't.”
The Star
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