Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/679878
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016 17 News really given him an advantage above other students. "At that point I knew as much as everyone else in my course. The thought was both humbling and re- freshing," he said. Perhaps you might be tempted to think that achieving such marks de- pends largely on the subject in ques- tion, with Camilleri, Suleiman and Scicluna being science students, but as youth studies professor Andrew Azzopardi explains, getting such high marks is more about being gifted, than about the subjects you choose. "I think all students would like to get high marks, but the truth is that students who get those grades con- sistently, are not only high fliers but also gifted," Azzopardi said. Indeed it is worth noting that the aptitude of the students interviewed for this piece is in no way limited to their main subjects. Ellul, who has become a doctor since sitting for his 'A' Levels, has had a number of dif- ferent interests, and even working as a journalist for some time. "I had always dreamt of becoming a doctor, but achieving my full po- tential in everything I attempt has always been one of my main aims," Ellul said, adding that he had done his best to accompany his studying with a variety of extracurricular ac- tivities, including the participation in various scientific projects, part- time jobs and voluntary work. Ellul explained that although he had always taken studying sciences seriously, he had also chosen to try out different languages like Ger- man and Spanish, as well as holding several work experience posts at a bookshop, teaching English to for- eign students, as well as voluntary work at his parish throughout his sixth form years. "Time management is key here. I believe that studying is of para- mount importance, but if you choose to dedicate all of your time to studying, years will fly by without really allowing you to enjoy life," he said. "I believe that where there's a will, there's a way, and if one finds joy in one's studies, I see no reason why one should shy away from blending one's academic duties with the day- to-day life, using every occasion and activity to further enrich personal and social experiences," he adds. Similarly 24-year-old Rachael Dar- manin, who now serves as an assis- tant visiting lecturer in Engineering at the University of Malta, explained how her academic history had ulti- mately helped her to embark on a career in academia, something she had naturally become passionate about given her love for studying. "Having an excellent academic re- cord, ultimately encouraged me to choose academia over an industrial engineering job, and it is impor- tant to have such a track record in order to be able to pass on knowl- edge to other students, but it in no way stops there," Darmanin says, explaining how obtaining straight As had ultimately set her up for her future. "Being in academia means that I will never stop studying and re- searching my topics to remain as relevant as possible, so a degree of passion also comes into it," she adds. However much she likes studying and admits to having had a strict studying regime throughout her life, Darmanin insists however, that the notion of 'A' levels is often so highly overstated, that it inhibits people who strive to get the best grades possible from engaging in more social activities, because of the fear that they have that they would be wasting time if they do so. "Personally, I have to study some- thing more than once until it sinks in and the concept is clear in my head, so as to achieve good marks, but I still advocate engaging in ex- tracurricular activities, particularly during the sixth form years," she says. In fact, Darmanin lists participat- ing in St Aloysius College Soiree as well as completing the President's Award Scheme (which I can con- firm is no simple task) during her Sixth Form years. But, getting straight 'A's is not just the remit of science students, and 18-year-old Anna Calleja, whose main topics were English and histo- ry, insists that getting high marks is about being passionate about your subjects, rather than just studying for long periods of time. "I think I've always aimed high but also hoped that everything would fall into place without me having to work too hard, so that procrastinat- ing till the very eve of the exam sea- son became something of a routine in itself for me," Calleja said, adding that she credits being interested in everything she set her mind to with achieving the marks she got. "On the whole I can say I was al- ways very relaxed and didn't really do my homework, but I still man- aged to pull through by remember- ing key ideas from the lessons," she said, describing her studying pat- tern. "I'm not the type of person to stick to a timetable or to spend days locked up inside to study, but the frequent testing system at St Aloy- sius meant that I was repeatedly cramming knowledge before each set of exams," she said. Calleja added that another key to the results, beyond good exam techniques, was that she managed to find a way to intertwine all her subjects. "For instance, I studied history, (which was also my 'A' level) in eve- ry one of my subjects: theatre his- tory in Theatre Studies, history of philosophy in Philosophy history of art in Systems of Knowledge, as well as history of literature in my other 'A' Level, English." Calleja adds that being passionate about your subjects ultimately helps you to create the necessary links be- tween your subjects. "I remember coming out of the English and history exams thinking I had actually enjoyed myself, be- cause I was ultimately writing about things I care about," she said, adding that the same principle held for her excellent performance in Biology – her only science subject. Asked how she felt the marks had set her up for her future, Calleja said that she was currently using her knowledge of English to teach English to foreign students, but that beyond that she was still uncertain of her future. She adds that after taking Art 'A' Level during the summer between her first and second year at Sixth Form, out of her own interest, she had also started taking commissions for her work. As different as those interviewed are, they all agreed on one funda- mental point: that passion is neces- sary to become properly acquainted and comfortable with the subjects in question, no matter what they are. "Being passionate about your sub- jects ultimately means that studying stops being a chore and becomes a genuine exercise in satisfying your curiosity," Ellul said. 'Passion is necessary to become properly acquainted and comfortable with the subjects in question'