Day: 16 November 2008
Time: 10:26 AM
Mood: Bored!




To me, a scholarship is an opportunity for students to have a higher platform to showcase their talents. It is like an investment in a student and the student should see this as a privilege and use this scholarship wisely. A scholarship is also seen as a glimpse of hope to some as the scholarship can give them an opportunity to further their studies. A scholar ought to have great academic results, good performance in their Co- Curricular Activities (CCAs) and an excellent behaviour. Excellent behaviour means that their attitude should be humble, positive and enthusiastic and their attire should always be neat and tidy. They must also be helpful and try their best to be the best in everything that they do. A scholar has to fulfill his responsibility in these 5 areas: family, academics, social life, character and of course, their CCA. I think that behind every (almost!) successful person lies a supporting family. Therefore, if a family was to provide so much for you, the least you can do is to return to them your unconditional love, attention and time. Also, academics are important. It is because of your academics that the scholarship was given to you in the first place, so, we must take it as our responsibility to ensure that our academics are up to the standard. Of course, every person needs friends. Therefore, I think that a scholar should manage his or her time wisely to spare some time to have a few confidantes. Look at some of the students in Xinmin now. They are so cooped up in their studies that they have no friends as they devote all their time to studying. How lonely they are! Also, you can’t forget your CCA. Its main purpose is to expose you to many activities and it also creates more time for you to relax and enjoy, instead of studying all day. Character building is the most important, though. In order to create a good impression to everyone around you, you must have certain qualities within you. Therefore, a scholar’s character is essential. Of course, not all journeys are easy to travel on and obstacles are inevitable along the way. Firstly, there will be stress. Being a scholar, people tend to have higher expectations of you and demand or have a mindset that scholars must be the best. In order to satisfy their demands of you, you will have to undergo a lot of stress to reach their standard. Also, not only stress, there will be ‘friends’ who will try all means to make you fall, be it due to jealousy or unhealthy competition. Another obstacle would be the time constraint. If you want to lead a fulfilling life and be an all-rounded scholar, you must be able to settle for the 24 hours a day. Thus, a scholar has to plan. A scholar must be a leader, but a leader may not be a scholar. When a person is being accepted as a scholar, the examiner will have to see if he or she has certain characteristics to make him or her stand out from others. One of the characteristics that examiners will look out for is leadership quality as a scholar is seen as a role model to other students and therefore, must be able to lead. However, if you are a leader, you may not have the attitude or academics to be a scholar. As a scholar, I would intend to first serve my school, then society then nation. Being only 14, I would start from scratch and render my service to the school first. I can take up leadership roles like student leader or class chairman. Next step would be society. I can be an active volunteer and for nation, I can grow up and be a civil worker. Since I am still a secondary student now, I should do my own duty first, yeah? Since the holidays are so boring, I think I may write a post about AIDS patients the next time round. (I’m not sick, okay! I’m just really touched by this 9.00PM show on Channel 8. It’s about an AIDS patient who contracted this terrible disease due to a moment’s folly and with support from his friends and family, he managed to stand strong.)