Achiever thrives on hard work
THE third best Eastern Cape matriculant last year is still showing that hard work pays off.
Former Framesby High School pupil Nadia Moore won a R50000 bursary to study medicine.
The blond whiz kid who attained seven distinctions last year and a 99% pass rate in both science and accounting, started studying medicine at the University of the Free State earlier this year and passed all her first semester modules with distinction.
Although things are going swimmingly in the classroom she said it was hard to adjust to the volume of work.
"The Integrated Medical Assessments (IMA), testing you on your knowledge of three or four subjects at once, are especially difficult to adjust to,” she said.
"It is also challenging to accept that you cannot know every single detail anymore, but I think I am adjusting quite well.”
Nadia added only two of her subjects were really medically orientated but she was still loving it.
"Especially visiting the dissection hall on Fridays.”
She said she chose medicine to make a difference in the world.
"One day, at the end of a working day, I want to know that I used my abilities as well as I could to help others.”
Nadia, who visited her parents Arno and Amanda during the winter break, said Bloemfontein was a really nice city with friendly people, but learning to drive in the new city was a little bit of a challenge.
"I do miss Port Elizabeth where it is so easy to drive around,” she laughs.
"I miss my parents very much, and also my oldest sister whom I haven’t seen since January 1.
"I am very fortunate to have one of my best friends from Port Elizabeth with me in Bloemfontein and I have made many new friends, but I do miss my friends back home a lot.”
Nadia said there was not much time for extramural activities while she was still finding her feet. When she has a little more time for herself she would like to play in a musical ensemble, or something similar.
"Meanwhile I enjoy spending time with close friends, playing the piano, baking and cooking.”
Her advice to current matriculants?
"Work hard, don’t start preparing too late and be dedicated. If you don’t feel like studying, think of your goals in life. For example I often told myself, in order to help people one day, I have study hard and learn this now.
"Of course there were times when I did not feel like studying, but everyone experiences that. My friends also worked hard and we supported one another, but still made time to relax.”