Growing up in Soweto, Thando Nhlapo faced challenges in her education. She went to St Matthews Secondary School and learned the importance of planning his studies each week.
Thando realized that going to school only from Monday to Friday wasn’t enough. Her school didn’t have classes in the afternoon, so she decided to join a tutoring service called MAPS tutoring. This extra help, along with using past papers, made a big difference for her.
When exams came around, Thando found it tough to manage his time well. She also couldn’t attend some extra study sessions called cross nights. Despite these challenges, she kept going, understanding that facing difficulties is part of the journey to success.
Thando believes getting help from others is important for doing well in school. Tutors and friends played a big role in his success.
“Maybe push harder,” Thando says when thinking about her final exams. She realizes that by working even harder, she might have gotten better grades.
Social media became a helpful tool for Thando. It gave her a break from stress, and her friends were there to make her smile and relax.
As Thando looks ahead to a new journey, she feels confident. “I hope so. I know I am to embark on a new and very different journey, but I believe that I am more than capable because I have faced so many situations in life and I triumphed at the end.”
Thando Nhlapo’s story is not just about school—it’s about facing challenges, getting help from others, and believing in yourself. Her journey teaches that success comes not only from hard work but also from having supportive friends and finding ways to relax during stressful times. Thando passed her matric with distinctions.
