Pearls of wisdom from Hoërskool Barberton’s top matriculant
BARBERTON - This year’s matric learners have had to contend with a global pandemic that shortened the school calendar and forced people to explore new ways of teaching and learning.
The impact of the national lockdown has had far-reaching effects that have forced the world to approach many aspects of their lives differently. The class of 2020 is no exception and one of Hoërskool Barberton matriculants has kept her eyes fixed firmly on the horizon by maintaining a grade average, even in the midst of adversity.
According to Lindelwa Ntuli, consistency is key to achieving the level of success she has maintained since primary school.
“The secret for me has been to always keep practising, attend extra classes and work hard, despite the Covid-19 lockdown.
“I am driven by a quote I read once that says, ‘Aiming to achieve something without hard work is like expecting a full harvest without planting a seed’,” she said.
Lindelwa’s journey of academic excellence started at primary school level. “Since my primary school days, I have adopted a goal-setting mindset. So each year, I would set long- and short-term goals that enabled me to achieve the desired results. The satisfaction of reaching my goals has motivated me to achieve even more.”
Lindelwa’s school blazer boasts an array of badges that serve as testimony to her commitment in her quest to achieve excellent results.
“My preparations for the final examination were a combination of studying past exam papers and reviewing these with my peers in chat groups. We also realise that not all learners have been able to keep up with their studies during lockdown, so we assist our classmates who have fallen behind with the curriculum.”
Her greatest motivation is her mother, whom Lindelwa credits with instilling a strong work ethic and ensuring that she remains focused and prepared.
“Even with Covid-19, my mother has been a constant source of motivation. She makes sure that I stick to my study routine. She has worked and studied and her ability to keep smiling while facing pressure has taught me to look for happiness even in difficult situations,” she added.
Lindelwa hopes to pursue a career as an actuarial and accounting scientist - an ambition she has nurtured since her earlier school years.
Her advice to other matriculants?
“We have come too far to give up now. We’re almost there. For those who do not achieve the results they expected, it is important to remember that they do not define who we are as people.”