THIS item is a bit
more challenging because I am urging you, the students, reading this to aim
high in what you choose to study.
If you are a student
and reading this, I urge you to work to not just pass the different courses but
to work to get the best grades.
You know, there are
many students who work to just pass and then find that they cannot choose as
regards education opportunities or jobs later on.
This tip was given to
me by a teacher over two decades ago.
The teacher said, in
whatever studies or courses you choose, aim to get the top grade.
She said, if you
failed to get the top grade, you will get the second-top grade, but you would
still be on top.
This principle is
needful in sports also. A good team cannot accept results of being a good team
that never wins a medal or prize.
Set you goal high and
go for it.
Some of our national sporting
teams – like cricket, netball and volleyball - have progressed well last year
and are looking forward to better results this year and beyond.
Their coaches,
management and players (even if they never said it) are not happy just
participating in international tournaments. They want to go for the top awards.
And so far, they have been doing well.
As students, you must
also develop that kind of mentality.
Just passing a test
and exam is not enough.
Aim for the top and
develop plans to get the best results, if you want the best in the future.
Let me list a few
reasons why it is important for you to score the best grades.
You will advance to
the next level
Due to space
limitation in our education system, many students leave school if their grades
are low.
Those who get the
privilege to continue onto Grades 9, 11 or to a tertiary institution are those
who score the best grades.
You will choose what
you want
People who get the
best grades choose what they want to do. That privilege is not available for
those who score low grades.
School leavers with
good grades get job offers from different organisations or firms.
It carries on to
other areas
Often this desire to
do well carries over to other subjects that you will learn and other things you
do.
Isaac Newton, the
famous mathematician, physicist and astronomer – who formulated the theory of
gravity and calculus - did not show any sign of being brilliant as a child.
Researchers studying
his genealogy did not find any “brilliant” ancestor of his.
As a small boy,
Newton got into a fight in school and licked his bigger opponent.
Not satisfied in just
winning the fight, he studied hard to beat the boy in schoolwork. He succeeded in
that too so his uncle sent him off to Cambridge where his intellect blossomed
and he discovered theories.
Graduate trainee
programme
Company
advertisements in newspapers are now asking for university graduates to join
their trainee programmes.
But note that the
grade requirement is Bs or better.
Only the top students
can get into such programmes.
So, I urge you to
work to score the best grades.
Next week: Take
care of your body
