Newsletter (2017-2018) November 2017 Newsletter | Page 11

would take notes during the lessons and revise days in advance when there was a test. I gradually moved to the
top of the class. It had rewarded me with something I lacked for the past 3 years—motivation.
I began to treat my other subjects with the same attitude and my diligence paid off. At the end of semester two, I
was the first in my grade. I was overjoyed and so were my parents. However, it took a downturn when they
decided to share it with the rest of the family. It was nothing serious nor harsh but it hit right in my heart like a
bullet. In fact, it was meant to be a joke. “Wow, I didn’t you were this smart. Probably your classmates are just
too bad.” I forced a smile as they laughed. It had pushed me down the endless pit of insecurity.
The negative thoughts of being not enough followed me like a shadow. The day after that, Mr. Lee called to
congratulate me.
“If you persist in your efforts, I don’t think it will be a problem for you to get into university,” he encouraged.
I chuckled, “I don’t think so.”   
As if he could sense my uneasiness, he questioned me further. I told him about the incident, and it was as if the
baggage I was hauling around had disappeared. “It doesn’t matter where you come from. I was a band 3 student
myself and look where I am now,” he objected. He noticed my silence, so he continued, “Do you remember what
I said the first day of class? Try your best or don’t try at all. If you give up now, you will regret it.” 
I pondered his words. There was no road sign to show me whether it was the right path or how many miles I had
ahead of me. It was not a walk along the riverbank where flowers bloomed and the sun shone. It was a dirt road
in the woods, full of twists and forks. But I knew I would regret it if I turned back. I would wonder what would be
different if I tried. This warning was louder than all the insecure thoughts that were circling around my head.
It is shocking how powerful words can be. I was haunted by the thoughts I led myself to believe and one joke
was all it took to make me doubt my achievements. I was grateful that I had a good teacher who opened my
eyes to my own abilities. His words were what triggered me to change.
Venus is an English
Education major studying
at EdUHK. She is one of
the student writers for
ASLLC's monthly
newsletter.
NOVEMBER 2017
|
11