12/5/2008
The Criminal Law result was released today. It was kind of relieved to know that I have actually passed the paper, though it was just a C+. This was my immediate feeling after knowing the news. As I was told about the results of the others, the feeling of relief subsided. What override that feeling were disappointments. Obviously, I am again below the average. It was just a C+. I have been telling myself since I was in the primary school that one of the stupidest things to do in the world is to compare own results with the others’. Things have been finalized and there is no point to grieve for it anymore. The practical thing to do is to review the study method that was unsuitable or wrongly applied. But what has gone wrong then? Dear friends, please help me on this matter. I’m truly lost. Advices or even criticism are welcomed.
I have somehow heard statements such as “result is not everything”, “high pointer does not necessarily guarantee a good future” etc. Well, it sounds pretty consolatory. In the legal field, there are good lawyers who might have not achieved marvelous academic results but bear in mind, these people normally accomplish fantastic language and communication skills or in other word, soft skills. Effort to develop these skills involves more than studying and vomiting out what has been saved in the brain. It requires time, initiative and courage to make mistakes. I am still striving very hard to polish such skills.
Perhaps you may ask aren’t both good academic performance and language skill are the prerequisite criteria for a student to enter a law school? The answer is affirmative. And yes I bear the shame for being incompetent in both.
Having realized about my own weaknesses, extra hard work is essential. Perhaps I should be a permanent visitor in the library instead of camping in the library in the very last minutes towards exam period. Last-minute study is killing. And I shall treasure knowledge acquired and cultivate passion in what I am studying. I realized my biggest mistake throughout my study life is – I have been studying just for the purpose of exam. That is the most meaningless way of studying because as the exam is over the knowledge ceases to exist automatically.
I hope I am not too late to realize that and not too left-out to learn. A friend of mine has ever told me “it is never too late unless you never start”. I hope it materially applies. And I quote again from a saying that I’ve read in somewhere: “If you compare yourself with the others, you will feel vain and bitter; don’t compare yourself with the others, for there are always persons better and lesser than you, enjoy your achievements”. Enough for the grievance. Be optimistic and keep on moving!
There are 12 failures in Criminal Law. Thank goodness I am not one of them. Many thanks to my dearest course mates who have been so helpful especially during the critical period of preparation for the exam – Agnes, Chiu Jing, Chee Seng, Maggie, Kian Chun, Chia Huey, Ling Siew, Lyann, Raymond, Loo Yin, Kent, Phaik San, Chor Soon and Elvis. I couldn’t have done better without your help and support. And I pray to you my dearest granpa, please please let me pass the rest of the papers. Please granpa, I hunger for your blessing and guidance to lead me towards the dream of graduating in 4 years…
Lastly, may all of us pass all the papers and graduate together in 2010! God bless…
