Online Reporter
EXAMINATIONS are important. They are a way to assess what you’ve learned, test your understanding and help move you to the next stage of life. But let’s be clear: a 2 or 3-hour examination does not define your destiny.
Yes, passing is important — it opens doors. It helps you move from Form Four to Form Six, from school to college and possibly from college to work. It is a stepping stone. But it is not the whole staircase.
Some of the most successful people in life were not the top in their class, but they discovered something else — their gift.
Your gift makes room for you
You were born with a unique talent. It could be art, music, leadership, sports, business, carpentry, communication, farming or design. This gift, when discovered and developed, will take you to places that even a degree cannot.
Education gives you papers. Your gift gives you purpose. The real success is combining both — using your education to support and polish your natural gift.
So what should you do?
Take exams seriously. Prepare, work hard and do your best. Passing helps you move forward.
But don’t panic if you fall. That failure is not your full story. It’s just one page.
Discover your passion. What are you good at?
What excites you? That’s a clue to your gift.
Develop your gift. Learn. Train. Improve. Be excellent at it.
Keep the right mind-set. Never compare your journey with someone else’s. You are unique.
You are more than your exam results. Work hard, pass, move forward — but also seek to be a person of value, not just someone with a certificate.
Exams are a step. Your gift is the path. Walk both wisely.
Dr Manners Msongelwa is an author, teacher and youth coach. He can be contacted on +263 771 019 392
Bongani Ndlovu