I've been quite tired for the last couple of weeks as I fell sick again. This time it was the horrible stomach flu where my nose keeps running(it is probably the fittest part of my body by now) and my stomach is unable to digest anything(everything I eat comes out in liquid state, yecch!). Being stubborn, I decided to fight off the infection by myself with basic medication and water. Usually this is the best way as some of my doctor friends told me that antibiotics will not help the body defences in the long run. Sort of like depending on a foreign army for support in times of war. Not a good idea. The only drawback is it takes a much longer time to recover.
At the worst point, I was even vomitting. Which was a real shocker since I have not vomitted for 'donkey' years. No amount of prunes was enough to tell my body to stop spewing. Boy, am I glad I'm back!
Once again, the exams are coming and I should take the opportunity to wish my students(past and present) to 'gambatte'! As the saying goes,"Luck favours the prepared" so prepare as well as you can and I'm sure you will have all the luck you need to ace the exams. Regardless of the results, I still emphasize on the preparation process. As each difficult question exposes the weaknesses in your learning, I hope you will also understand and review what you could have done in hindsight and be that much more stronger in the next cycle. It's ok to make mistakes, just don't keep repeating them. You are not a photocopier. =)
Yep it's the time in the sch season where everyone is stressed about something. P6 students are stressed about PSLE oral, NIE student teachers are stressed about looming assignment deadlines and parents are stressed about where to take their (non-P6) kids for the holidays (thanks to the PSLE orals...)
If u sit down and think about it, the stress we feel is quite irrational. I mean, if, like all kuai students, you have prepared well for the exams and have faithfully done your homework throughout the sch year, u should be passing your exams without much difficulty. Seriously. Of course, if you have just been slacking, then it's time to start praying for a miracle. (Whether the MAN upstairs wants to answer is variable, usually you will get slammed hard and become wiser in the process.)
During my PSLEs, we didn't mug as hard as we did during the 'O's and 'A's. Instead, without fail, we would troop over to Fort Canning Park to pay soccer after every exam...Yes we were very relaxed as to us it was just another exam.
Somewhere along the way, we have become so caught up with exam results and going to the top schs that we have forotten that the learning and growing doesn't stop when we step out the primary sch gate for the final time. So even if in the worse case scenario, the results suck and you can't get into the best sch. So what?
Yeah, maybe your parents will be disappointed, but life goes on right? Human beings are amazing for the simple reason that we can adapt to the harsh conditions that occur every once in a while in Life. So going to a "non-branded" sch will actually teach you how to make do with whatever you have and prevent you from developing a large head that might make entering the door to your home impossible.
It's also widely agreed that PSLE scores will have only a neglible impact on your life... No employer is going to say, " So you only managed an A for your PSLE Maths? I only hire straight A* staff! Get lost!" In fact they probably couldn't be bothered as they probably know (like me) that there are some people out there with golden PSLE results but who don't know the first thing about being a responsible and caring member of society. Duh!
All that being said, when we learn to understand our fear (irrational or not) , we take the first step to overcoming it. Think about the possible consequences and how you can deal with it. I heard from a tutor yesterday that approximately 5 sec sch students decide to "kick the bucket" every day. That works out to about 1825 lives a year! OMG! So don't add to the statistics, conquer your fears and try(just try la) to live with minimal regrets.
All the best to my students for the coming exams, I know you will be smiling when it's over!
Recipe for Anthony:
a)Get 5 cups of humour, stir thoroughly till bubbles appear
b)Add in 1 teaspoon of common sense
c)Stir in 1 small bowl of respect marinated with honesty
d)Soak in humility for 15 minutes
e)Fry with some determination until satisfied
f)Garnish with as much enthusiasm as required
Bon Appetit!
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QUOTE
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
-Robert Frost
