Parents and well-wishers of high-achieving GCSE students from the community share their stories and sentiments with Asian Voice, highlighting their pride and support for the students' success.
Shivan and Aryan
GCSE school toppers, twins Shivan and Aryan, cleared their exams and got 10 A stars without any tuition. Speaking about how they felt when they saw their final grades, Aryan expressed his pride, saying, "I felt incredibly proud and excited to see that all my hard work and countless hours had finally paid off."
Shivan echoed similar sentiments: "I was thrilled to see the results of all my long-term hard work and dedication. Holding my achievements in my hands for the first time made me feel immensely proud."
Shivan reflected on the benefits of studying without a tutor: “Not having a tutor was actually advantageous. It allowed us to focus on what worked best for us without added pressure, giving us the freedom to manage our own study and perform at our best.”
Aryan agreed, adding, “Sometimes, having a tutor can be confusing, as their methods might differ from those of your school or online resources. Managing everything on my own made revision clearer and more straightforward.”
For A levels, Shivan plans to choose Physics, Maths, and Chemistry, with the aim of pursuing engineering at university and a career in STEM. Aryan is considering A level English Literature, Maths, and History, with aspirations of studying law in the future.
Ritika Shah
Ritika Shah achieved outstanding GCSE results with straight As and plans to study Maths, Physics, and Art at A-levels, with aspirations of pursuing a career in architecture. Currently interning at an architecture firm, she shared her exam preparation strategy that helped her in her GCSE exams: "I focused on diligent study, completing numerous past papers, and extensively reading and working through questions from workbooks. I also made my own notes and reviewed concepts to ensure a thorough understanding."
Ritika Shah shared her approach to managing exam stress, noting that stress is a natural part of the process, even if one tries to downplay it. She admitted feeling overwhelmed at times but found relief through simple strategies. She would talk to friends or take short walks. She emphasised that taking breaks, even brief ones, is crucial for maintaining productivity and avoiding burnout, highlighting the importance of balancing study with relaxation.
Reflecting on the support she received, she said, “My teachers, friends, and family were all crucial to my success. Teachers answered my endless questions patiently, while my parents motivated me on tough days.”
Darsh Patel
While many students typically avoid choosing their mother tongue for their GCSE exams, Darsh Patel took a different approach and opted to take Gujarati. His decision paid off remarkably, earning him a top grade of 9 in the GCSE Gujarati exam as an achievement. He will be giving his GCSE next year.
Speaking about how he feels about performance in the GCSE Gujarati exam, he said, “I'm thrilled with my Gujarati GCSE results, especially since this was my first time taking a GCSE exam. Achieving a grade nine was an incredibly proud and joyful moment for me, and I feel these results have far exceeded my expectations.”
Believing that it’s important for young people to learn and excel in their mother tongue, he said, “I believe it's incredibly important for young people to not only learn and excel in languages like Gujarati but also in their mother tongue. Mastering multiple languages is a valuable skill that offers numerous benefits for the future. Additionally, being able to communicate with friends and family in your mother tongue is essential for maintaining cultural connections and fostering strong relationships.”
Eshita Soni
Eshita Soni, a student at Watford Grammar School for Girls, has demonstrated her academic excellence by passing her A-Levels with flying colours. Achieving A’s in A levels, Eshita has secured a place at her first choice university King's College London, where she will be studying Economics and Management.
Eshita's success at A-Level follows her outstanding performance at GCSE, where she earned straight A*s across all her subjects.
Beyond academics, Eshita has also been leading many clubs at her school including Bollywood dance club, Economics Society and Debate Club showcasing her well-rounded abilities and leadership skills.
Message from family: With God’s grace and the blessings of our family, we are incredibly proud of Eshita’s accomplishments as all her hard work has paid off and wish her continued success at King's College and beyond.
