Inspiration for students achieving outstanding results in their IGCSE/GCSE (International/General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams on August 22 came in various forms. From volunteering in Tanzania to receiving unwavering support from loved ones, these students not only excelled academically but also gained valuable life lessons. UK-born Rayaan Haji, 16, spent his summer volunteering at Kijana Kwanza, a grassroots organization in Moshi, Tanzania, aiding children and young people in accessing education. Immediately after his GCSE exams in late June, Haji utilized his top-grade math skills to tutor Tanzanian peers in advanced mathematics. "The experiences were mutual," Haji shared with Khaleej Times. "I taught them math, but they taught me about perseverance and the importance of hard work." He recounted a story of a boy who, after losing his father, was motivated by a desire to repay his aunt's kindness through diligent study. This experience broadened Haji's perspective and taught him practical skills like slaughtering a goat during Eid Al Adha. He also engaged in recreational activities and taught Quranic recitation. Post-results, Haji plans to pursue A-levels in further Math, Economics, and French, aiming to study Economics at the University of Cambridge and start a student organization promoting volunteerism for orphaned children.
Brighton College Dubai student Sophie Ritchie, originally from New Zealand, credited her exceptional results—7 grade 9s, 1 grade 8, and 1 grade 7—to the 'aroha' from her family, the Māori term for love. "I am both surprised and relieved by my results, grateful for the support from my teachers and family," she said, noting that her grades enable her to pursue medical school. Sophie also attributed her success to consistent study habits and a motivational treat—Cadbury mini eggs.
Priyanka Navin of GEMS Cambridge International Private School Sharjah also found strength in family support, particularly after losing her mother in 2022. She transformed her grief into academic motivation, thanking her father and mentors for their unwavering support.
Narain Ayathan, a top achiever from Brighton College Abu Dhabi with 10 grade 9s and one grade 8, emphasized the importance of consistency in his academic success. Balancing extracurricular activities with studies, he advised on the effectiveness of active revision techniques over passive reading.
Mostafa Mourad from GEMS Metropole School, achieving six grade 9s and two grade 8s, incorporated learning German into his studies, driven by a passion for psychology and medicine. He plans to pursue Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, and English in sixth form, aiming for a US medical school.
