Mugging Mugging. After years of taking so many endless examinations, I have come to the conclusion that not all we studied and mug for are actually tested.
In certain exam papers, questions are shaped in such a way not to test our memorizing power but more of thinking and critical evaluation of subject matters.
Most of us like myself, are often preoccupied with studying EVERYTHING so that we will feel a sense of confidence and security on the module.
Effort /= Grades (Effort put in is not equivalent to scoring good grades)
At this point, we have to come to understand that our performance and grade depend on the performance of others and their grades, our performances on the day of examination, our presentation of points and outline of our answers. And other situational factors including mental disposition, ambient, luck etc.
Nonetheless, we will try to outdo one another and "if he works hard, I will work harder".
This mindset, will eventually cause us to set higher standard for ourselves, to mug more & more. Giving us the feeling that we had not done our best and that we can push ourselves further. We are frustrated when we can' accomplish certain "task" we set for ourselves each day. Feeling that that time is too short and 24hrs is not enough for a day. I agree that competition is good as it will raise the our standard but it must be weighted with the emotional and psychological stress that we experience in the course of preparing for examinations.
After weighting all the cost and benefit of exams woes and with the high calculated probability that effort put in mugging will not necessary translate to good grades, I have derived my own resolution.
I will revert back to the intial purpose of examination. Other than differentiating good students from the bad students and classifying student into different grades, the basic purpose of examintation is to "Ensure that we actually study for the subject".
The purpose of education is to pursue the subject of interest and to broaden our perspective and our knowledge of the world around us.
Sometimes, we are studying for the sake of studying or for the sake of exams. We are blinded and lost in the mist of pursit when Terms like "C.A.P", "GPA", "S/U", "A+", C- affect how we initially view things. We started to think about what the others think. We act not according to why we act but how we should act according to what we think others are acting. We mug because everybody is mugging (I am not asking you to stop mugging coz if you do so the reality will not change for you as the level playing field will still be raised even when you stop mugging and the result will be that you are maintaining the same level while others have risen upon you).
My point is to be revert back to simplicity in terms of our mindset. Pursue our interest and derive joy from studying at our own pace regardless of pressures that may affect us emotionally and mentally. Unnecessary stress will outweights the benefits we derive from the probability of getting good grades. The examination system is a fair one. Hopefully like other enlightened beings, I will look beyond the lust for good grades and pursue knowledge in a fruitful and enjoyable way, far away from the taints of psychological stress and frustration in the course of the pursuit. :)
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