Seven Distinctions and a Dream: Matriculant Shares Top Tips for Academic Success

By Songezo Sondlo

Khanyisa Tata made history at Imizamo Yethu Secondary School in Thembalethu, George in the Southern Cape, when she achieved an impressive seven distinctions in the 2021 Matric Exams.

She was awarded an eighth spot on the Eden and Central Karoo Department of Education District’s top candidates list and also won the Director’s Award at the Eden and Central Karoo Department of Education District Awards Ceremony for her remarkable achievement.

This top achiever shares her top tips for passing matric cum laude, as well as her inspiration and motivation to achieve academic excellence on your finals.

You are a top achiever in your school, making history by obtaining seven distinctions.  How did you manage to get seven distinctions?

I made sure that I studied thoroughly. I went above and beyond by studying at home. I was always up to date with my schoolwork, and I made sure that I attended all the extra classes I could, to gain more knowledge.

How did you prepare for your exams? What specific methods did you use to study and prepare

I started by making a study schedule. I devised a workable study schedule.

After school, I’d study for at least 3 to 4 hours. I used YouTube to listen to online tutorials, which helped me understand some of the schoolwork I couldn’t understand otherwise.

For Accounting and Economics, I used Mindset and Woza Matrics YouTube channels specifically lessons by Ashraf Patel.

For Maths, Khanyisa used past exam question papers and attended extra lessons. She also reveals that she used her notes and practiced a lot for the rest of her subjects.

You were a matriculant at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. How did that affect your studies?

The COVID-19 pandemic had a large impact on my schoolwork when I was in Grade 11. We had to study at home, which was my most difficult task.

We only went to school twice a week for a few hours each day, so I didn’t have much opportunity to consult with my teachers. In Grade 12, I had to go back and learn the basics because Grade 12 was a continuation of Grade 11, which made my schoolwork more difficult.

Have you ever had a moment where you doubted yourself? What motivated you to keep going?

I had doubts about myself because, in prior years at my school, students would receive great grades during the year and then fail at the end of the year. I was concerned that I would be among the top students who failed matriculation.

Being in the Top 40 was never on my mind since it has always been the learners from Model C schools, who made it where I come from.

The unfavorable comments from a few people further fuelled my motivation.

They used to say that no learner from Imizamo Yethu could ever attain the same grades as the Model C students in the final exam.

Imizamo Yethu had always had the lowest pass percentage compared to other schools in prior years, and no student had ever achieved seven distinctions.

My motivation was to break the cycle and inspire Imizamo Yethu students. I want them to set no limits on their ambitions.

What role did your teachers and family play in your matric journey?

My former teachers and family did one thing for me that I will never forget and that was to encourage me throughout my journey.

Even when I wanted to give up, their words of encouragement kept me going. They demonstrated their faith in me, which inspired me to work even more than I had previously.

My relatives would frequently ask about my emotional well-being because as much as they want me to study, they don’t want me to be depressed.

Being a top student must come with certain pressures and expectations. How did you handle all that?

One thing about me is that I don’t do things just to impress others and because of that, I didn’t consider all those expectations.

I just told myself that I’m going to give it my all, and if I fail, I won’t be as disappointed in myself as other people would be since I know how hard I’ve worked at school.

What would you say to matric learners who aspire to reach similar heights as you?

Do not allow your background to determine who you are.

Do not limit yourself, set the highest goals for yourself and work hard to accomplish them.

Even if no one else believes in you, believe in yourself, always keep in mind that your attitude in how you approach or see things will determine whether you succeed or fail.

And to any matriculant out there who feels like giving up: the fact that you made it to Grade 12 means you can pass the grade.

Khanyisa is studying her third year of her Bachelor of Accounting at the University of Johannesburg. She encourages future matriculants to remember why they are studying: “Remember your goals and let that be your motivation”.

This article was originally published by Khulani!, a youth media project by the Department of Media and Communication of Nelson Mandela University, based in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.