Aleksij Tasikj - From Yahya Kemal College to Oxford – Digital Horizons Interview

As part of the Digital Horizons project, Yahya Kemal College alumnus Aleksij Tasikj shares his academic journey, experiences, and insights in an in-depth interview.

The interview begins with host Sara Knezhevikj introducing Aleksij as one of the school’s most successful alumni. Aleksij explains that he studied at Yahya Kemal College for four years during high school and is widely known for his interest in mathematics. He is currently in the first year of his undergraduate studies at University of Oxford.

Studying Mathematics at Oxford

Aleksij is studying pure mathematics, which he describes as covering theoretical mathematics while also exploring how it connects to other sciences and real-world applications.

He emphasizes that getting into Oxford was not easy and was the result of a long-term journey rather than a sudden decision. His path began around 10 years ago when he started participating in mathematics competitions, which helped develop his competitive mindset.

Key Lessons from the Journey

According to Aleksij, some of the most important lessons came from failure. He explains that learning to grow from failure and overcome challenges played a major role in his development. He also notes that this principle applies to any competitive field.

Another key factor was discovering an area of interest early and focusing on it. He highlights that concentrating on something you truly enjoy is very likely to lead to success.

The Importance of Analytical Thinking

Aleksij identifies analytical thinking as the most important skill in mathematics. He explains that this ability is essential not only in academia but also in fields such as finance and many other professions.

He further adds that mathematics develops a strong sense of logic, which can be applied in virtually every real-world situation.

The Role of Yahya Kemal College

Reflecting on his high school experience, Aleksij describes Yahya Kemal College as an environment where success is encouraged and supported. He points out that the school promotes independent thinking and self-study.

He also emphasizes that teachers actively encourage students to pursue interests beyond the classroom and support their individual goals.

The Mathematon Experience

During the interview, Aleksij mentions that he initiated the “Mathematon” event a few years ago and expresses his satisfaction that it continues to this day.

He highlights that discussions about mathematics and interactions with both peers and teachers during such events contributed significantly to his development.

Advice for Students and Parents

Aleksij stresses that getting into a university should not be the primary goal for parents. Instead, he believes the focus should be on raising a child properly and supporting their long-term development.

He emphasizes the importance of motivation and encouragement, but also discipline. According to him, parents should sometimes set limits and make difficult decisions when necessary.

He also highlights the importance of supporting a child’s interests—whether in music, mathematics, or science—based on what the child shows genuine curiosity for.

Dealing with Self-Doubt

Aleksij openly shares that self-doubt is a natural part of the process. He admits that he has doubted his abilities many times and still experiences such moments even while studying at Oxford.

He explains that self-doubt should be accepted as a natural human reaction and used as motivation to improve step by step, rather than something that holds a person back.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Aleksij emphasizes that progress comes gradually. Improvement happens through consistent effort over time, and it is important not to be discouraged by challenges along the way.

His message is clear: accept the process, keep improving step by step, and continue moving forward.