Curro whiz kid's secrets of success

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The dux of Curro Mossel Bay independent school is Herman Spies. Curro matrics write Independent Examination Board (IEB) examination papers.

We asked Herman his secrets of success.

PHOTO GALLERY: Herman Spies, an exceptional guy

What do you think contributed to your being the dux?

My lifelong fascination with anything mathematical and scientific led me to watch online videos on various academic topics, keeping my mind sharp and focused.

What were your results?

Six distinctions: Afrikaans – 78%, English – 83%, Maths – 96%, Life Orientation – 84%, Accounting – 78%, Biology – 80%, Physical Sciences – 87%, IT – 92%.

What will you do now?

IT and Physics at the University of the Free State. I want to achieve at least a master's degree.

What would you like to do one day?

Research and develop computer programs that simulate physical interactions between objects.

What are your interests?

Besides creating computer programs, reading fantasy novels. I also enjoy playing adventure games with my sister and cousin.

What advice do you give those writing matric this year?

Try to work on your projects/tasks at least one hour a day.

If you leave everything for one afternoon or weekend, you will have to learn time-travel to fit 20 hours of work into five hours, and that might be beyond your means.

Any other interesting, fun information about yourself?

I am studying Greek on Duolingo (currently on a 1 371-day streak).
I can solve a rubix cube.

I enjoy the following education YouTube channels: AlphaPhoenix, Veritasium, Ted-Ed, Kurzgesagt, Applied Science, Stand-up Maths, ElectroBOOM, minutephysics, MinuteEarth, NoMagic, Mathologer, Ben Eater, CodeParade, Sebastian Lague.

I have five dogs.

My only sibling is a sister (third-year university student this year, currently studying Genetics).
Both of my parents have a PhD in Genetics. My father was the head of Genetics at the University of the Free State.

I often finish at least 40 minutes early during exams and try to solve random mathematical equations or encode words into binary at the back of the question paper to pass the time.

My favourite author is Brandon Sanderson, who wrote Stormlight Archives.

My lifelong fascination with anything mathematical and scientific led me to watch online videos on various academic topics, keeping my mind sharp and focused.