Matěj Hladeček: an ITG student showing that real progress begins with an independent desire to learn

There is no shortage of talented students at 1. IT Gymnázium. Yet some stand out through their determination and approach to learning. One is Matěj Hladeček, who shows that real success comes from an independent desire to learn, push personal boundaries and face challenges, rather than exceptional talent alone.

Matěj comes from Karlovy Vary, but his education brought him to Prague in his first year. Living in a student residence far from home is not for everyone, but he saw it as an opportunity. While others were getting used to a new environment, Matěj began something that would not occur to most Czech secondary school students: preparing independently for AP Exams, international examinations used in admissions to overseas universities.

Without tutors or guidance, relying on his own motivation and discipline, he mastered material at the level of the first years of university. His approach shows how far students can progress when they are willing to go beyond their school assignments.

His attitude did not escape the attention of CTM, the Centre for Talented Youth. After passing several AP exams, Matěj was offered a tutoring role. The student living in a residence became someone who guides other pupils, helps them understand demanding material and passes on not only knowledge but also his outlook: no student is ‘less capable’ if they are motivated to succeed.

Matěj's approach is also clear in his IT graduation project, one of the most thoroughly developed projects at the school. He did not do it simply because he had to. He invested his own ideas, time and experience, showing that IT is a space for creativity as well as a field of study.

As a school, we are proud to have Matěj as our student. His story confirms that education depends not only on good teaching, but also on inner motivation and an independent desire to keep improving. That is the message we want to share with other students too.

Matěj Hladeček shows that even if you come from a smaller town, live in a student residence and study in the evenings, you can achieve results at an international level. Above all, the journey begins with a simple question: do I want to learn this?