The Sunday Mail
Sihle Chitau, L6
Bradley High School
Just like they say, “Hard work pays”.
My journey to attaining 10 As (and 2Bs) was no stroll in the park. I had to work hard but looking back, I could not have used my time better.
For me to achieve these grades it was through an almost tangible zeal for success. In a few words, the secret behind success is hard work.
I would study for at least five hours a day, but like I said, it’s not as if there was something better I could do with those five hours.
After all there were 19 more hours remaining in my day to have fun, eat, sleep and play.
The attitude you have towards your school work determines what you get at the end, there is no two ways about it.
I cannot say I was always the best at school but I would work hard to achieve what was best. I remember the first time I was in the newspaper — this very Sunday Mail Bridge — I was in Grade One and after that there was this pressure on me to do well.
In Grade 3 I came first for the first time and I made it into the Sunday Mail again, albeit through a picture with a small caption. The pressure mounted and ever since, I push myself to do great because I set a standard for myself.
I had that attitude were I would feel very disappointed if I got low grades and would always try my best to improve those grades.
I know as school children we times hate a certain subject but you should know that you would be doomed for failure.
For example, I did not really enjoy reading setbooks especially Julius Caesar and I would find myself getting Bs or even Cs in literature but the moment I changed my attitude towards literature I found myself getting better grades and I even got an A in my final exam.
In all these efforts I aimed for success and since I want to be a medical doctor (pediatrician to be specific) I really have to stay focused and aim for greater grades.
It was also through the effort of our teachers at Bradley High School who are very hardworking, dedicated and have the zeal to produce good grade in their subjects
However, I would not call myself a bookworm by any chance. I had loads of time to refresh and have fun. I would engage in some sports and this really helps to refresh your mind.
My routines were not strenuous to me.
I would wake up at 04:45 ,then would go for lessons at 07:25 we would learn the whole day only breaking a 30 minutes break and 1 hour lunch ,at our school we have a six days learning cycle so on day 1 and day 3 after lunch we go for sports and then the other days it’s just some lessons.
I would then go for a normal study that is from six to nine pm then would go for extended study which you choose either the one from 9:30 to 11: 30 or the one from 3:00 to 5:00 am but normally I would prefer the one from 9:30 to 11:30 pm.
And for my weekend on Saturday I would go for two studies the one from 7:00 am to 9:00 am and another one from 15:00 to 17:00 and on Sunday I would spare some time from 14:30 to 16:30 and go for the compulsory study from 1800 to 2100.
Where I would find a challenge, I would consult some teachers and even ask some fellow students who understand the topic better.
All thanks to my teachers at Bradley High School.
But the best advice I can give to all candidates and other students is you should put God first in everything you do.
The best reward I would dream of is a scholarship and my fingers are still crossed.
Feedback: to my parents at 0773492865 or 0772397444
Students, YOU CAN SEND YOUR ARTICLES THROUGH E-MAIL, FACEBOOK, WHATSAPP or TEXT Just app Charles Mushinga on 0772936678 or send your articles, pictures, poetry, art . . . to Charles Mushinga at [email protected] or [email protected] or follow Charles Mushinga on Facebook or @charlesmushinga on Twitter. You can also post articles to The Sunday Mail Bridge, PO Box 396, Harare or call 0772936678.
