EH: How they help you learn and develop. Math Olympiads taught me to enjoy the fine art behind big ideas in mathematics, and to deal with stress and competition in a healthy manner. It is really an interesting process of bettering yourself and I would say much different from anything else I’ve encountered in my life. Having tough luck with most of the competitions I’ve done, I would say that the results are not what anyone should be focused on but rather on enjoying all of the awesome progress you can make!
GTF: What is your favorite memory from Olympiads?
EH: The first one that came to mind was during our national Math Olympiad. After the competition, we were waiting for the results and were so tired because it was late, but we decided to go for ice cream after all. My friend suggested a place where there was good ice cream but since she only heard about it from her mom, we didn’t know where it actually was.
So, a group of us, like 15 to 20 mathematicians, set the goal to find it and started running around the town in the hope that we reach it before the closing time, which was in less than 10 minutes. We were running and running, and, fortunately, we got there at the last minute! Although the cashier was closing the shop, she took us in happily and served us the earned ice cream. We were so happy and afterwards, we went back to the hotel and played games all night! I still remember some funny statements from the game two truths and one lie.
GTF: What are you most looking forward to at university?
EH: Probably the people I'm going to meet. Although I’m really excited to study mathematics at Warwick, I am thrilled to connect with people who have a much different mindset and outlook on mathematics than me. As I saw at the math camps, the best teams are made when you have a diverse group.
GTF: Would you like to continue with math after university?
EH: There is still a lot of time ahead of me, but right now I imagine myself to be a number theory researcher after university. If you have a great idea, it can be revolutionary—or it might not be. It doesn't matter. Making progress in mathematics is great because you never know when you or some other researcher can use it. Therefore, I would love to contribute and have something of my own in a field that I'm passionate about. That would be really rewarding. And if not, just striving for it is still an exciting thing to do.
GTF: What is something you do outside of school or Olympiads?
I do a lot of crafts, but my main one is making resin pieces. Recently, I made a resin tray with henna fish tattoos that I drew, and dried up flowers that are all over Bosnia in the spring. It turned out really pretty.
I have also been cooking a lot recently. Considering that I’ll have to cook for myself at university, I have been trying out a lot of recipes and have found that I enjoy many of them! Apart from that, I love to play volleyball whenever I get the chance.
