Today my classmate taunted me by whispering, “You think that with this percentage, you can achieve your father’s dream and become a doctor?” when the teacher asked about our dreams and goals for the future. The sentence hit me hard.

“Mum, don’t you remember how I studied so hard to achieve a good result? I am disappointed with my ninth grade result, and now I have decided to not put in too much effort for my matric examination, if this is the kind of result that I will get,” Muskan said to her mum.

Her mother looked at her in astonishment and said, “Are you serious? Do you really think you did your best?”

“Yes mum, I did my best. And I know the examiners didn’t do justice with me,” Muskan said rudely.

Muskan understood a part of what her mother was trying to tell her, but still, she had doubts about how could her efforts be less when she studied hard and always revised her lessons.

Mum came and sat beside Muskan, held her hand and said, “Before you put any allegations on examiners, you should first focus on your efforts and work hard. If you ask me, I would say it was your overconfidence due to which you couldn’t do your best, like you did in the previous years.

“I am not comparing you with anyone, but I think you need to take some guidance from your sister, who has scored the highest marks in her class in tenth grade. Now this is your final year, too! Take assistance from your sister and don’t overreact!”

Muskan understood a part of what her mother was trying to tell her, but still, she had doubts about how could her efforts be less when she studied hard and always revised her lessons. After a lot of thought, she decided that there was no harm in taking guidance from her sister, maybe somewhere her overconfidence in revising and studying better than others got in the way, like her mum said.

A new session had started, Muskan started taking tips from her elder sister, setting her routine, reducing screen time and focusing on her studies, just as her sister said. Her mother would also give her tips. The term went well, Muskan was optimistic and when the final exams started, she gave her best. But this time, she was not overconfident.

When the exams were over and the result day arrived, she was overjoyed to find that she scored 92 percent! She realised how her overconfidence in studies led to her low grades, and with guidance and support from her sister and mother, she was able to nip the problem in the bud before it was too late.

Published in Dawn, Young World, August 31st, 2024