Words of Wisdom

Schools opened last week. It’s back to serious school business. This term is a busy one as writing classes will be writing their final examinations. 

For you to realize success this term, here are five important questions that should always guide you at school.

Question 1:  Who am l?

This is a difficult question. Most students don’t know who they are. 

As they are back at school, they will forget about themselves and start copying and following the habits of other students. You are going back to school as an individual, remain yourself. 

While others will be busy gossiping, bunking lessons, drinking alcohol or smoking, just tell yourself that it’s not time for that. 

Focus on your school work and aim to attain good results this term. Be visionary and goal orientainted.

Question 2: Where do l come from?

 This question requires students to know about the source of life. Answers can be given that l come from Thombankala, Buhera, Tsholotsho, but we all come from the source of life , who is God. 

Pray everyday, in the morning when you wake up. In the evening again talk to the source before you sleep. 

Put God first in everything you do .Success will be your portion. Read the bible every day and mediate on the word. 

All the principles about life they are in the bible .God is the beginning and end of life.

Question 3: What can l do? 

This deals with your potential. You can do better. Don’t be discouraged by anything but put all your effort in your school work. It’s only in the mind. Even if you lost a parent or one of your relatives is sick, be self-motivated and tell  yourself that you can do it. Students who read and focus on their school work usually do well in their school work.

Question 4: Why am l here? 

Know why you are going to school. You are going back to school to focus on your school work. Don’t be involved in relationships, taking dangerous drugs, etc. Instead concentrate on your school works. Be a person of value, don’t allow boyfriend’s , to buy you airtime or bundles .

Don’t allow yourself to be in  cars of your boyfriends or love to be taken to fast food outlets .This won’t end well . 

Be content with what your parents afford .lf they don’t have a car it’s ok, it’s temporary. If you work hard at school, certainly you will drive in the future. 

Distractors will come but remain focused on your school work. Don’t be discouraged by anyone at school , don’t make other students opinion define you . 

Don’t be involved in any mischief. Live right so that you will enjoy your tomorrow. 

Before you do anything, ask yourself this question, “Am l going to enjoy this memory?” If the answer is NO, don’t do it. Our tomorrow is determined by how we live today.

Question 5:  Where am l going ? 

Research more on what you want to do at A level, for those doing dorm 4, and for those doing A level , what you want to do at the University. 

You can also be enrolled at Polytechnical colleges, Vocational Training Colleges, Teachers Colleges, etc after finishing your high school. Remember our destinies are different. 

Prepare for your tomorrow now. See all your challenges as lunch, you can overcome them , determination is the key. 

Be like a lion, whenever a lion sees an elephant’s or a giraffe she sees lunch . Change your mindset. Inside each one of you there’s greatness . 

Above all, the birds needs the sky to fly, the animals needs a jungle to survive, fish needs water to swim and you need God to succeed.

Dr Manners Msongelwa is the president of History Teachers of Zimbabwe and a teacher at Camelot College in Kwekwe.