Joburg pupil achieves 11 distinctions
Lisa Rahman put in an extraordinary amount of work, and had very little sleep, in order to achieve 11 distinctions.
|||Lisa Rahman put in an extraordinary amount of work, and had very little sleep, in order to achieve 11 distinctions for matric.
The determined St Stithians Girls’ College pupil told The Star how she would study until the early hours of the morning in order to accommodate all her subjects, as well as her extramural activities.
“I had to go from school pretty much every day (and) either did music after school or horse riding. I never had an afternoon off. I’d ride until it was dark and then come home and start my work in the evening (until) 12, 1, 2 in the morning, every day.
“That wasn’t even a once-off, that was every day,” the bubbly 18-year-old said.
She admitted her studies had been physically and mentally exhausting, and even involved working weekends and holidays, and eating meals in her room while studying, leaving little time for hobbies and a social life.
“You can never close your books and feel you are finished,” she said.
The teen taught herself three of her subjects.
Business studies and accounting only had a one-hour weekly slot on the timetable, so they involved a lot of self-study.
Her school didn't offer equine studies and Lisa did the subject through another private school, Beaulieu College, which sent her notes and slides and marked her tests and exams.
Lisa has been a top achiever throughout high school and was named the school’s dux scholar in grades 10 and 11.
She, along with 11 other achievers from the girls’ college, and 12 from the boys’ college, were members of the Socratic Club - exclusively for top pupils.
Lisa said her family's support had been invaluable.
“I don’t know how I would’ve got through the year without their motivation as well as help from all sides, helping to keep organised and arranging from all sides - whatever I didn’t have time to do.”
Fortunately, Lisa found her two extramural activities, horse riding and playing the flute, were excellent ways to de-stress, a huge bonus given her overwhelming academic load.
She enjoys competing in eventing and showjumping on her two horses, and at one stage boasted provincial colours for riding.
The talented 18-year-old was part of the school orchestra and also did many solo performances.
She hopes to take her Grade 8 Royal School flute exam next year and to join the symphony orchestra when she starts her studies at the University of Pretoria.
She has decided to study actuarial science, given that maths, followed by accounting and AP maths, were her top subjects.
“I feel that maths came the most naturally. It was never a task to study for a maths test. I always thought I’d love to do maths all day, every day.”
Lisa said she was nervous about getting her results.
She probably wouldn’t be doing anything special to celebrate.
“I’ll probably just breathe a sigh of relief,” she said.
gabi.falanga@inl.co.za
@Gabi_Falanga
The Star