Education
Why Exams Are a Good Indicator of a Child’s Future Success
As a student, I used to hate exams. We would always talk amongst each other and explain why they are a waste of time. As we matured, we thought we realized that exams did not mirror the real world at all.
We believed that school had to change the system for a better reflection of the world of work. After all, that is where we would be heading after it.
It was also an excuse to partake in coursework more. We disliked written exams, but coursework let us work with our friends to get a grade. Although this is a better reflection of work, written exams play an essential role too.
I have to admit that the content of those exams may not be vital. I have been working as an Engineer for three years now, and I have not used my degree once. In anger, students turn to the belief that school is pointless and their exams mean nothing.
However, written exams are a good indicator of success, especially if you do not have a naturally gifted student. There are many life principles a child can take from preparing and performing well in an exam. And all of these life skills can lead to success in the future.
So, here are some of the life skills I gained from taking written exams. These are the skills I have kept till now, and I believe they will bring me success.
Reviewing My Work
You will find that the best students always leave time to review their work. The total exam time could be 2 hours, but they will keep 20 mins at the end to check over their work before they hand it in. It often allows them to spot errors and secure a higher grade.
If there is any skill I would advise keeping the most, it is this one. Reviewing your work indicates a sense of pride. It shows that you care about the work you do and want to feel good about it. Self-respect for the work you produce is vital for performing well in work.
Whether at work or starting a business, you need to hold yourself to a high standard. And part of this is ensuring that you are producing your best work at all times. Yes, it is good to get feedback from others, but self-improvement is inevitably our responsibility.
Therefore, reviewing your work before it is passed to someone else is a good sign of self-respect and high esteem. Not only will it help you perform better in your exams, but it will also equip you with positive traits to become successful.
Planning and Prioritizing
It is rare that a student only has one exam to take. When I was a student, I would often have an exam week or sometimes months of exams. Although stressful, it meant we had to juggle more than one thing at once.
In everyday life, especially at work, you tend to have more than one thing going at a time. To achieve anything, it is vital to plan and prioritize.
You will find that the best students create revision timetables and spend more time on the subjects that need more work. It is by doing this they can secure good grades in the future.
By knowing how to prioritize and plan, you are equipped with the skill of organization. Nothing in this world runs without being organized. Companies, schools, and small birthday parties all need a plan in place. And it requires someone with good organization skills to make all of these things work.
All of my friends that did well in school had a revision schedule. They also prioritized their time to attend booster lessons in subjects they were struggling with. These students came out with astonishing grades, and to no surprise, are in good-paying jobs.
Performing Well Under Pressure
Finally, exams are high-pressure environments. I have seen students crumble under the pressure all the time. Some of my classmates fainted before their exams, and one ended up in a mental home.
Pressure tends to bring feelings of anxiety and distress because people are scared of what could be. Unfortunately, we tend to automatically think of the worst due to our flight or fight mechanisms.
In almost every situation, we would rather run (flight) because it ensures our safety. However, students can not run from their exams.
The ability to remain calm and keep yourself composed is a vital personality trait for life. When sitting in interviews, meeting new people for a deal, or presenting, we need to perform. All of these things are high-pressure environments, and it is those that can still do a good job whilst in them that end up being successful.
Closing Thoughts
Although the physical exam may not be related to work or life, the experience itself can be rewarding. Those who take their exams seriously and seek to do well will learn lifelong lessons for success.
Therefore, children who do well in their exams have acquired traits that will help them perform difficult tasks in the future.
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