S.E.T. for socio-economic growth
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Jurie would like to see a world where people are empowered to live healthier lives and prevent chronic disease.
As a child, I was taught to serve others. Very quickly, I realised that life without service is dull and meaningless. Therefore, I want to pursue a career where the impact on the lives of others is palpable. Medicine is the best possible field to live out this love.
Pursuing medicine runs in the family. I am fortunate to have two wonderful parents who are both doctors. In their experience of medicine, the bad and the good are present, and they prepared me for both. But they cannot hide the joy that the career brings. Their honest example confirms that the beauty of medicine far outweighs its downfalls. I want to taste their joy, the joy of saving, improving, and giving life; therefore, I chose medicine.
In the field of health, most health problems are chronic, and thus most health problems are largely preventable. I possibly see myself at the forefront of bringing about societal change in the way the population pursues a healthy lifestyle. I want to expose the dangers of the destructive environment humanity creates for itself. Hopefully, many chronic diseases can be prevented as a result, also producing economic and social benefits in the process.
I matriculated from Hoërskool Rustenburg in the North West. I am deeply appreciative of the schooling I received there. Each teacher was willing to go the extra mile with me or any other willing learner.
There are few things in life as satisfying as cracking a challenging maths or physics question. The moment everything falls into place, I feel like Archimedes, a Greek mathematician and physicist, wanting to shout: “Eureka!”
There are multiple contributory factors. My opinion is that COVID still left many children behind in maths and science because the basic concepts in both fields were not adequately laid during the earlier grades. Gaps in knowledge mean that there is no foundation to build on. Thus, it is important for people who struggle to identify these gaps in their knowledge and to fill them as quickly as they can.
Another major problem is that pupils are too afraid to ask questions when they do not understand a concept. All uncertainty must be removed the moment it arises; otherwise, it accumulates and becomes unmanageable. Students must be willing to ask and teachers must be willing to answer; then most of the lack of understanding in physics and maths will be removed.
Everything you do contributes to reaching the finish line, your final exams. Realise this early enough to ensure that you put in the right effort to reach the finish line successfully.
A sincere dream is never unattainable. Even though the road may be longer and have a few bumps along the way, you can always make it to the final destination. Therefore, be sure that you know all the possible alternative routes to reach the dream. If you do not immediately get accepted for your desired course of study, be willing to explore all alternatives to finally get there. Do that bridging course, study that BSc to get accepted into medicine or veterinary studies, but do not ever give up.
When competing at the top, you face many fellow challengers of equal intellect. The difference is found in the time put in. Continuing to train the mind, putting in practice hours, while others don’t, is what makes the difference.
Do not wait for others to bring about change. South Africa is tired of excuses. Get involved yourself.
Thank you for investing so much of yourself into the children you teach, including me. You live for the pupils sitting in front of you, and so often that goes unnoticed. I appreciate every question answered, even at night or over weekends, every word of encouragement that my dreams are attainable, and every drop of sweat and tears shed to ensure that I receive the very best education that anyone can be offered.
I would speak to President Cyril Ramaphosa and ask him to reduce the number of public holidays, as the large number we currently have stifles education and economic growth.
S.E.T. for socio-economic growth
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