Sticking to the plan of action and support from his mom is how Wolfgang Wild of Paul Roos Gymnasium believes he managed to achieve a final mark of 96,4% for his matric exams.
His final marks for his subjects were 93% for English Home Language, 93% for Afrikaans Home Language, 97% for Mathematics, 96% for Life Sciences and 96% for Life Orientation. He got an astounding 100% for two of his subjects, Physical Sciences and German.
Wolfgang’s being named the top academic achiever in his year was no surprise as he had been the top academic achiever since Grade 10. He was, however, very surprised when he received his final marks and had hoped to achieve 94%.
“I was quite nervous about writing the National Senior Certificate exams,” he said, “because they differ from our normal exams and you can’t check your papers after they’ve been marked. I kept worrying that something may happen, but I was pleasantly surprised when I got my marks.”
Wolfgang says his mom helped him get up in the morning, supplying Vita-Thion, which kept him going during his study sessions.
“I tried not to change the way I studied,” he said. “I stuck to what I know works. I thinking sticking to what you know, having confidence in yourself and believing in your study methods is very important.”
On 24 January Wolfgang will report to Stellenbosch University’s medical campus in Tygerberg, where he will start his degree in medicine. He hopes to specialise one day and thinks his speciality will revolve around the brain.
“The brain really interests me because it’s the least understood organ, and there are so many illnesses that affect the brain but can’t be cured yet. I hope I will be able to find out more about the brain and find treatments for these illnesses.”
Several things he will miss about being in an all-boys school, such as the school spirit, singing beside the field during rugby matches and the unity he experienced there.
“Most of all I think I’ll miss the class shenanigans,” he said, “I don’t think we’ll be having any of that at Tygerberg!”
