Epsom Girls Grammar School 2020 Dux (joint recipient), Megan Kuan was awarded 4 Scholarships in Biology (Outstanding), Chemistry (Outstanding), Physics and Statistics (Outstanding).
Megan was also recognised as a 2020 Outstanding Scholar Award Winner by The New Zealand Qualifications Authority. This is a prestigious award with only 57 students across the country recognised. Megan was also the Top Student for Statistics in New Zealand. This year she plans to start studying a Bachelor of Science specialising in Biomedical Science at the University of Auckland, with the hope of entering medicine next year. We caught up with Megan for an interview:
I am currently reading “The Brain: The Story of You” BY David Eagleman. It’s an engaging and really fascinating insight into the relationship between our brain and our life. I’d recommend it to anyone, whether they’ve had a prior interest in science or not because it really helps to piece together why we are the way that we are.
In ten years time I see myself working in the medical field, specialising in an area that most interests me. I hope I’ll be making meaningful contributions to the field of medicine and science. Whether it’s by partaking in groundbreaking studies to find revolutionary cures for diseases, or simply doing my part in improving the physical and mental health of the community around me, I hope that my role is an impactful one.
My biggest advice for those in year 13 this year wanting to achieve at a high level would be to believe in yourself - it does wonders. We are always our own harshest critic but if there’s one thing I learnt over my time at high school, it’s that without self-belief, all of our hard work can easily end up redundant. While it’s easier said than done, I think that believing that you’re capable of whatever you’re aiming for can hugely motivate you to work harder than you ever would have if you didn’t believe in yourself.
Receiving encouragement from friends and teachers at school has always been memorable for me on my learning journey. I think that by surrounding myself with a supportive group of people, I could truly reach my potential, and that’s a discovery I will carry with me into the future. It helped me to believe in myself more, and was undoubtedly one of the most important factors in helping me achieve highly.
To relax, I enjoy watching Youtube or Netflix, spending time with my dogs or just chatting with friends and going out to eat. Some of my favourite shows are Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The Good Place. Recently, I’ve found visiting my newborn niece very relaxing too.