An evening with Sakinah

Mid term results are out and my daughter is a bit down. I have expected that she will not do so well this year as compared to last year, simply because I observed that she has been spending a lot of time being busy with other things and studying has taken a back seat. It is a simple input-output thing...I mean if you spend 70% of the time checking your whatsapp and chatting with friends (supposedly about studies)...what do you expect your exam results will be like? So, anyway, an opportunity to give her some advice presented itself yesterday when she started a conversation with me as follows.....

Sakinah: I have been looking at my mid term results and I realize that I performed much better last year....

Me: And why do you think it is like that?

Sakinah: I do not know.....(feeling quite confused and dejected)

Me: Well....you know Sakinah...last year you were in Form 4...everything is new, all the subjects are new to you....I remembered you were so excited...very eager to learn new things, discover new ideas...you are like that....you are someone who gets very excited with new things...it was what drove you to study...because you wanted to know....also last year you were not so into whatsapp,wechat, insta and others....so your time and energy was more or less focused on studying....hence you got very good grades.

This year...all the subjects seemed to have lost its sparkle (for you)...sort of 'seen this, done that' syndrome has overcome you...

Sakinah: But I want to get good grades and do well for my SPM....(I can detect a tinge of exasperation in her voice)

Me: It is ok, we still have a lot of time before SPM and it is good that you are doing this self reflection...I think we can work something out if you are willing to change your behaviour and attitude a bit ( I am trying to tell her that everything depends on her willingness to exercise more discipline on herself)...you know Sakinah...success do not really depend on how smart we are...it depends on how hard we are willing to work for it...and how much we are willing to sacrifice for it...so if you are willing to do some behaviour adjusting, insyaAllah you will get the grades that you deserve. We can both work on a way to help you reignite your spark and curiosity for your studies...

Sakinah: You really think so mama?

Me: InsyaAllah....but you have to be willing to change....

I ended the conversation full of hope and Sakinah has a big smile also full of hope ....I pray to Allah that Sakinah is granted the energy, motivation, presence and clarity of mind to study hard and hopefully achieve her dreams. Amin.