– CSEC high-flyers urge those hoping to write next year

GUYANA has turned out a number of top students at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, with several of the future leaders leaving strong words of advice.

Coming after the country’s top student Christian Pile of Queen’s College who gained 19 Grade Ones is Shakira Bholo from Anna Regina Secondary who acquired 18 Grade Ones and 2 Grade Twos.

Inching close behind with 18 Grade Ones is 16-year old Salma Majeed from the Isa Islamic School (ISA), who told the Guyana Chronicle of her experience.

“Making a commitment of such a large amount of subjects is undoubtedly challenging, and it calls for a lot of hard work and persistence. And, of course, consistently praying, since nothing is possible without the will of God.”

Speaking further on the subjects she tackled, Salma added: “The easiest were Information Technology, Languages and Math, while the most challenging were Add Math and Physics.”
She is aspiring to become a lawyer and humanitarian with her next move being to sit the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) examinations.

“To all the younger students, I want to advise them to work hard and pray. God will answer your prayers. Hard work and late nights truly pay off in the end, and it will be worth it. I wish them all the best,” the youngster said.

Meanwhile, walking away with 17 Grade Ones; 1 Grade Two and 1 Grade Three is Haema Dasrath, who recounted her experience. “It wasn’t easy; I can tell you that, but I think anybody can do it, once you push yourself and put the effort into it.”

Haema said that she preferred to study at nights rather than during early mornings, and had to give up some of her leisure time to focus on what was priority.

Now, she wants other students to know that it doesn’t matter which school they attend, they can excel with the right drive and mentality.

‘YES YOU CAN!’
“My advice would be that I think anybody could do it from any school, whereever you are. It’s just that some people might be on a different level than you are, but that means that you’re going to have to do the work to put extra effort into it for you to do it. If someone is from another school and you think you can’t do it, I would say, ‘You can,’” Haema said.

The 17-year-old wants to peruse a career within the law system, perhaps as a Prosecution Attorney in the near future and is currently taking SAT classes to work her way into one of the top ivy-league schools.

At the same sitting, Aarti Hooblall of Queen’s College obtained 17 Grade Ones and 3 Grade Twos.

“It’s more than what I expected; I feel very happy. I’m relieved and I thank all the people that helped me: My teachers and my parents,” she said.

For the future, she plans pursuing CAPE examinations right at Queen’s College, after which she plans to advance towards a career in law.

“My advice, as clichéd as it is, is have confidence in yourself; what you believe in, and just strive for your best. Do your greatest, and be the greatest you,” Aarti said.

Seventeen-year old Reseda Hack, also of Queen’s College attained 15 Grade Ones, 3 Grade Twos, and 1 Grade Three and also took time out to give a response on these achievements.
“That was one of the strangest periods in my life,” she began humorously. “It was really hard, to be honest. There were a lot of sleepless nights, a lot of studying day and night, a lot of clashing exams, so I had to find the strength to push through.”
But, through it all, she said, she had the support of her family, friends and teachers, all of whom helped make the period easier to endure.

She is preparing to go back to Sixth Form to complete an Associate Degree in Natural Sciences, after which she will map out her next course of action in relation to college.

Meanwhile, Yashoda Samaroo from Queen’s College was awarded with 15 Grade Ones and 2 Grade Twos was pleased to tell of her journey.

‘STAY FOCUSSED!’
“After achieving these results, I’m very happy and I must give thanks to those who helped me on the journey. My future plans include going to UG and furthering my studies in Law. If I have to give any advice to the younger ones out there, I would say: Remain focussed; fix a plan and stick to it,” she urged.

Securing 14 Grade Ones and 4 Grade Twos is Krystal Cummings of Queen’s College, who said the preparation period was like a roller coaster, but would like to urge other students to put in the work, and they can achieve the same results as she.

“It was confusing, it was hard, it was easy, it was different for each subject area,” Krystal said, adding: “For some I had to go through a lot of reviews with teachers and students to get me back on track. The most challenging subject was Add Math; I had a battlefield with that subject; it was really hard, but the easiest subject was General Math.”

The 16-year old wants to become a paediatrician, but for now will return to Form Six.
In leaving a few words to her up-and-coming colleagues, she said: “Life is no joke, and CSEC is a part of life. Don’t take it for granted! Even though you may come from a top school or a low school, it is still hard. If you don’t put in practice, and if you be over-confident, well, the marks might surprise you.”

Sixteen-year-old Sushmita Mangru, who copped 14 Grade Ones and 1 Grade Two while attending Queen’s College spoke, too, and told the newspaper about her experience.
“I’m feeling very overwhelmed but happy,” she began. “I’m going to go on to write CAPE in the Natural Sciences field, and I hope to become a Paediatrician.”

Her advice to other students is: “Work hard and follow your dreams.”

Seventeen-year-old Kirsten Caesar from Queen’s College was able to achieve 13 Grade Ones and 4 Grade Twos, and was also able to speak on the entire journey.

ON TO UNIVERSITY
“My next move is to go to the University of Guyana and do an Associate Degree in Geology and Expiration Mining. When I discovered my results, I wasn’t satisfied at the moment, but I’m thankful that I was able to be on the list of top performers,” Kirsten said, adding:
“My advice to future candidates is to dedicate yourselves and don’t procrastinate and just work hard and you will succeed.”

As Queen’s College continues to steal the show, Navindra Persaud, who went away with 13 Grade Ones and 2 Grade Twos and told the newspaper how he juggled academic work and cricket still making it to the top.

“Right now I’m feeling very proud of myself because I was able to achieve my dream of play for the Guyana Under 17 team representing my country while also balancing it with academics. From now I’ll be going to CAPE examinations and in the future I hope to represent Guyana at the highest level and possibly the West Indies while still exceling in my academics. For students out there, don’t be afraid to follow your dreams because anything you put your mind to you can achieve it,” he said.

Another Queen’s College top performer is Jaishree Persaud who received 12 Grade Ones, 4 Grade Twos and 1 Grade Three speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, said:
“Currently I’ve very, very overwhelmed because honestly, I didn’t think that I would have done this well and I when just checked my results I wasn’t that content but it was okay because compared to all the years, all the preparations, it was worth it.”

Jaishree will be pursuing CAPE studies reaching for an Associate Degree in Natural Sciences while she hopes to become a Neurosurgeon or a Cardiologist.

“For students who will be writing next year I really hope that you take all your lessons seriously, you go and you pay attention in class, it’s very important. Don’t underestimate anything and do your best,” she left as encouragement.

Salma Majeed: 18 Grade Ones

Haema Dasrath: 17 Grade Ones; one Grade Two and one Grade Three

Reseda Hack:1 5 Grade Ones; three Grade Twos and one Grade Three

Krystal Cummings: 14 Grade Ones and four Grade Twos

Aartai Hooblall: 17 Ones and three Grade Twos

Yashoda Samaroo: 15 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos

Sushmita Mangru: 14 Grade Ones and one Grade Two

Navindra Persaud: 13 Grades Ones and two Grade Twos

Kirsten Caesar: 13 Grade Ones and four Grade Twos

Jaishree Persaud: 12 Grade Ones, four Grades Twos and one Grade Three