Step out of your "comfort zone".
Tran Thi Thao Linh (born in 2007, residing in Cao Bang province) was originally a student specializing in English, having been involved with foreign languages and related exams for many years. However, after pursuing this subject for some time, Linh began to have her own concerns.
"I want to experience a change that comes from within myself. I believe that a profound subject like Literature can achieve that," Linh shared.
The decision to switch to taking the Literature exam wasn't a spur-of-the-moment choice, but the result of a serious deliberation process.
Besides wanting to improve herself, the female student from Cao Bang also plans to pursue the humanities/social sciences (Block D), with her existing foundation in Mathematics and English. Linh believes that further developing her Literature skills is a way to comprehensively improve her academic abilities.
Linh considers her shift to a subject that requires a foundation in sensitivity, critical thinking, and inner depth as a choice different from the majority (Photo: Provided by the interviewee).
At the time of making the decision, Linh did not face opposition from her family or teachers. On the contrary, the support from those around her became a great source of encouragement.
"The person who's most worried is myself. I don't have in-depth knowledge of Literature, nor do I know if I can keep up with the Literature majors, or what my limitations are to make such a risky decision," Linh said.
Having started studying Literature seriously in the middle of 10th grade, Linh almost had to relearn the entire system of knowledge. Unlike students specializing in Literature who had received systematic guidance from an early age, Linh's preparation process was highly selective and focused.
"Accelerated learning forces you to identify what knowledge is important and core, instead of learning everything broadly," Linh said.
A strong foreign language background has become an advantage in studying Literature. According to Linh, many foreign texts and political commentary books in English are valuable resources, helping her broaden her thinking and strengthen her theory of literary appreciation. At the same time, exposure to Western culture has contributed to shaping her personality and influencing her way of thinking and expressing herself in literary writing.
"I usually write based on my own experiences. The writing doesn't need to be overly flowery or complex; instead, I prioritize clearly expressing my ideas, sometimes with just enough associations to shed light on the issue," Linh shared.
Accompanying Linh on that journey was the support of many Literature teachers. Each teacher brought a different perspective to Linh: from scientific expression and logical thinking to the ability to evoke emotions and depth of thought. "Each teacher left their mark, contributing to helping me perfect my writing," Linh said.
Linh's journey with Literature is also marked by the dedicated support of her teachers (Photo: Provided by the subject).
Studying literature also helps cultivate a philosophy of life.
When talking about the National Excellent Student Exam, Linh remembers most vividly the moment she walked out of the exam room. Contrary to her expectations of stress or regret, the student from Cao Bang felt relieved.
According to Linh, exam results can make the journey more fulfilling, but they shouldn't be the deciding factor.
The most important thing is the ideas and spirit cultivated during the study of Literature, as well as the ability to apply that way of thinking to real life, not just on paper.
Upon learning she had won second prize nationally and been granted direct admission to Hanoi Pedagogical University, Linh admitted her initial feelings were a mix of excitement and apprehension. In the context of the increasingly attractive field of education and high admission standards, this direct admission not only eased Linh's exam pressure but also instilled confidence as she entered university.
However, Linh believes this is just the beginning. "I still need to continue improving my knowledge and skills to adapt well to the teaching environment, which demands both breadth and depth of understanding," Linh confided.
The female student was once undecided between pursuing a degree in Communications or Education (Photo: Provided by the interviewee).
Before deciding to major in Education, Linh had considered studying communications. However, the process of studying and preparing for the Literature exam made her change her mind.
According to Linh, teaching is a sustainable path that also opens up many creative spaces in the context of developing science and technology, and is not closed off or boring as some stereotypes suggest.
Speaking about the ideal image of a Literature teacher in the modern era, Linh believes that in addition to traditional qualities, a teacher also needs the ability to keep up with the times and understand the place of literature in contemporary life.
"From there, Literature can be taught in a way that is appropriate, more accessible to students, and truly fulfills its role in ideological education and creates a ripple effect," Linh expressed.
Based on her personal experience, Linh encourages students to dare to try new things and take different paths instead of just following safe routes.
However, that courage needs to be accompanied by a clear plan, advice from family and teachers, and persistent effort.
"Only then will change truly be meaningful," Linh said.
Huyen Trang
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/bo-hoc-chuyen-anh-nu-sinh-cao-bang-re-huong-thi-van-va-duoc-tuyen-thang-20260124162304466.htm
Comment (0)