Friday : Report Card Day

As a kid, especially when I was in primary school, I always loved getting my report card because I had challenged my seatmate to a duel – who will get the highest grades in the entire semester including UPSR. Every time when the report card was handed, we’ll start comparing our marks, talk about how did we lose marks in each subject, which was the hardest, why didn’t we study more. I hate to say last time I was definitely better- at least my results are always in the top 30 (well, last time is last time). However, the thing I hate to admit is my seatmate is always better than me, maybe that’s the reason that motivates me to study harder. I loved seeing how I did, what my teachers had to say, what little surprises my parents might learn about me and my behavior (which was almost always good with the occasional "talks too much in class but doesn’t like to ask questions”). I cared quite a bit about my grades - not obsessively - they used to be all A's – except for BM, which I always got a B, but they were good and I wanted to do well. I was a good student. I loved school. 

Things had changed since I stepped into high school, my grades dropped from heaven to hell. Things became harder and harder. Besides Math, History, Geography and English, other subjects were wandering between B, C and D. I never looked forward to report card day anymore because I was scared, scared that I got scolded again. I took things lightly (my grades are worse than primary school at that moment) until I reached Form 3, which is the year for PT3 exams. Mom told me if I don’t want to study harder and stop playing, my life will become harder in the streaming year. I never listen, I still fooled around. Around July, I saw all my friends changed. They brought stacks of heavy revision books to school, start doing exercises and even begged teacher to give time free period just to do revision. That time I realized I was the only one still playing. I told myself I have to stop and take things seriously, but it took me a long time to get back into exam mood. At last, I did sit down properly and started studying like every other people did. I got into the stream I wanted but I still wasn’t happy with my results because some part of me told me I could do better.

When I stepped into Form 4, the subjects became harder. History, Moral and Mod Maths are the only subjects for me that I could have a chance to get at least an A-. I failed Add Maths once and the first test was definitely a bad head start—

Mom came back with my report card before I could continue day dreaming in front of the piano. For the first time in the year, I skipped school. I didn’t go to school because I didn’t want to collect donations (I ain’t kidding, I hate collecting donations, and the fact that I don’t want to get scolded by mom on the way home). I was prepared to get scolded again because I failed Add Maths again, but this time, most of my subjects have improvements. Mom didn’t scold me, which turned out really unexpected. She said teacher praised me because I did well (except for Add Maths, which she say I have to do more “latihans”) and I was dumbfounded at that moment (I didn’t know why I was praised and I admit my results did became better but I still wasn’t satisfied). Mom just told me to improve my Add Maths, do more exercises, ask my friends or teacher if I don’t understand a thing and maintain the marks of the other subjects. 

Well, guess I have to try harder again.