Top achiever Tarun Vempati shares secrets to academic success

TOP matric achiever Tarun Vempati was motivated to make the most of all the opportunities he was given while at school, in preparation for the “real world”.

The 18 year old, of Johannesburg, who wrote the Independent Examination Board (IEB) examination earned a Bachelor degree pass. He also received the IEB Outstanding Achiever status. 

Tarun, who attended St David’s Marist Inanda in Sandton, said he achieved distinctions in all nine of his subjects, which were English, Afrikaans, mathematics, physical sciences, life sciences, information technology, life orientation, business studies, and further studies mathematics.

“My motivation throughout school came from wanting to make the most of the opportunities I was given. I saw school as preparation for university and the real world, so I focused on building discipline and consistency. As I approached my final exams, my motivation became more practical. I wanted my results to reflect the years of work I had put in and to open doors for my future studies.

“During the year, I made sure to fully understand the work as it was taught and revised regularly to stay on track. When preparing for finals, I followed a structured plan that included past papers, timed practice, and focusing on my weaker areas. I found the exams challenging but fair,” he said.

 Tarun said managing stress was important. 

“I stuck to a routine, exercised regularly, prioritised sleep, and took short breaks to reset and stay focused. My teachers encouraged me to think deeply and stay disciplined, while my family provided constant support and perspective, especially during the tougher days.”

His advice for the Grade 8s of 2026 was to get involved in as many activities as possible.

“Try as many as you can, be it academics, sport, culture, leadership, or service because it helps you grow as a person and discover what you enjoy. 

“My advice for the matric class of 2026, is to focus on finding balance. Try to manage your academics well, stay active through sport or exercise, and maintain a healthy social life as that balance is what makes the year successful.”

Tarun will study mechatronic engineering at the University of Cape Town. 

“My goal is to build strong practical engineering skills and work in areas such as automation or artificial intelligence. I hope to gain hands-on experience through internships and possibly postgraduate studies, and over time take on greater technical responsibility in real-world engineering projects.”

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