I haven’t sat down to write in a while. I have been so busy with all kinds of stuff…..work, the side hustle, family, projects, studying, solving problems – the works. Funny though, the other night I dreamt that I was back in High School and exams were just two weeks away. I haven’t been in High School in over 12 years so it was crazy out there in dream land. I was paralyzed with anxiety as I was totally unprepared for the exams and I knew that if I didn’t pass, it would have massive ramifications for the future. Man was I one happy bloke when I woke up…….hehehe. Well, that funny but “scary” dream gave me an idea for my first note in over 6 months. So here goes……….
Remember back in the day when life pretty much centered on academic activities? When life revolved around tests – from class appraisals to board and entrance exams? Of course, I do acknowledge some of our friends have carried on with studies beyond their undergrad degrees etc. But for the purposes of this piece, I would like you reflect back to the days when you had no paper whatsoever with your name written on it. Anyway, back to the matter at hand……….! School was an interesting experience – for some it was a breeze, for many it was a chore. The tests and exams were something………..some of us struggled through them, the gifted and hard working aced them. There were the impromptu ones which would often be nasty surprises wrapped in arcane questions or the red letter day ones where the conscientious souls spent days and weeks preparing.
They came in all shapes and sizes from oral to written, from multiple choice to essay type answers, from inconsequential ones to life defining ones. Some subjects we dealt with better, some never stopped confounding us. Some were individual examinations and some were group tests. In some tests, getting the answer wrong by a fraction of a decimal meant a zero score whereas in some there were no right or wrong answers.
In the context of our present day lives, I wonder what those tests of the past teach us about the tests that we encounter in the present. I wonder whether old exam tips, tricks and tactics can apply to the tests that we face today. I wonder whether we approach the tests of today with the same zest, anxiety ,prep.(or lack thereof ) that we did with the ones from yesteryear.
There are some obvious comparisons but I don't want to dwell too much on them. These include preparation and planning , sweat and tears, Lady Luck, diligence and discipline etc. Here are some that I want to think more about……..
Answer or Fail: I know right?? Not much of a choice but a choice nonetheless. Even if you don't have a clue about the question, you will usually get a zero if you don't answer it. We face many tests today where we are ill-prepared but we need to respond vigorously through our wits, experience and gumption. Not responding or even a passive and feeble response will score you a zero.
Big Test Mentality And Mindset: They say that champions have a mindset that sets them apart from the rest and this is especially true when it's a big game or a tipping moment in a game. Think about your big and tough exams of the past and how you conquered it - are you bringing that same mindset to your big exams of today ? What's missing and why ?
The Test You’re Unaware of: Sometimes you are in a test but don't know that you are in one. When you live only in the moment, when you are blindly engrossed in the here and the now, when you spend all your time in the weeds, you lose sight of what exactly is being tested. You are often the one getting tested if only you would acknowledge it and then do something about it.
A Test Of Multiple Choices: In the situational exams we sit in, there are 3 fundamental choices. A) Sit on the fence, B) Check out C) Wholeheartedly commit to overcome/deal with the current situation. By far, option A is the worst choice, for you and those around you. But very often you choose this option to everyone's detriment. Choose B or C and the make the pain easier for yourself and those around you.
A Test Of Character: This is one test which you must not fail, at any costs. The older you get, the more responsibilities you have and the tougher the test will be. That you will be tested is certain, that you will struggle is a given but this is what character building is all about. NO? Often this is a secret test and only you know the results when you pass this test (it is always a retrospective thing……hindsight being 20/20 and all), you will have your moment of quiet satisfaction even if it does not translate into material benefits and that's fine.
Unfortunately, Only The Results Matter: In the real world, there are few marks doled out for effort. Sure you gain some sympathy and pity points but they are a poor substitute for delivery and results. It may sound unfair but that's life so take it on the chin and get a move on.
The Surprise Tests and the Questions from Outside the Syllabus: We all hated that teacher who had the wicked knack for throwing in a curveball question into an otherwise perfect set of questions. Hehehe…….Well, it's easy to prepare for what's on the timetable and what's in the syllabus (yes you still need to prepare), but life tests often don't fall neatly in this category. You then have to be mentally and emotionally tough to go through the hoops of uncertainty, despair and sense of unfairness and get yourself back on the even keel to deal with these with your mind, body, soul and everything you can throw at it. A weak response devoid of self belief and confidence is a sure shot fail.
There Is More To Life Than Tests And Exams: High School and College/Uni days were not only about tests. Some of us managed to have fun no matter how we performed academically. I am not advocating we be frivolous about our life tests today but don't swing to the other side, don't let your test consume you, don't let it take over your life to the extent that you lose sight of your purpose.
So as I wrap up this note, you come to realize that school is never really out…..it goes on till the day heaven decides to call our respective numbers so we might as well enjoy the ride with all the smooth stretches and bumpy phases that comes with the diverse terrain we call life. On a personal level, from here on – the play is to learn from the tests I fail and draw strength from the ones I pass. Long story short, I just thought this might be a little something to get you through the day……..if it could. Peace!
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