No pressure, no diamonds

Many people believe that the entrance exam for 10th grade in public schools in recent years has been more stressful and demanding than the university entrance exam. Why is that?

The race to get into 10th grade in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City has always been intense in recent years. (Illustrative image - Source: VGP)

The entrance exam for 10th grade in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City has never cooled down. This is because the number of places available in public schools is limited, while most parents hope their children will be able to attend these schools.

It can be said that getting into a public high school is the goal of many students today because it suits their family's economic conditions. If they don't score enough points to get into their first and second choices, students have to accept another option such as a private high school.

In reality, vocational training for 15-year-olds still doesn't inspire much confidence in parents. Meanwhile, reputable private schools aren't the optimal choice for poor families due to high tuition fees. Therefore, no exam in our country brings as much heartache as the race to get into 10th grade. This is considered the most stressful and pressure-filled exam for 15-year-olds.

While university admissions offer many options, securing a place in a public high school is limited to a single exam. Due to the high level of competition and the large number of applicants, students inadvertently become "warhorses." Many experience stress, anxiety, and even fainting while studying for the exam in order to get into a top-tier public school. Some students have to study several times a day to maximize their time. Many others finish their exam preparation classes at 11 pm and then continue studying online...

Besides the shortage of places in public schools, the pressure on students in recent years during exams also stems from their parents' expectations. At their age, these children are eager to prove themselves and have too many expectations and dreams. Therefore, failing an exam can be devastating for many.

Up to this point, several high schools have announced their exam results and admission scores. Some students have gotten into their desired high school, while others have missed out. The feeling of disappointment and frustration stems from the fact that getting into 10th grade is not easy. But an exam isn't everything, nor does it reflect a person's true abilities.

Think of this as a test for young people, a way for each to understand their own abilities. And along the path of acquiring knowledge, each person realizes what they already have and what they need to do to improve themselves. This journey of self-challenge helps us grow. Therefore, don't just look at the results to judge your abilities, and don't be quick to be disappointed in yourself.

At this time, managing emotions positively is also extremely important. Someone once said: failing an exam doesn't mean failing in life. Indeed, what matters is that we always innovate, adapt, learn, and strive relentlessly.

However, in reality, failing exams often causes psychological trauma for candidates if they don't receive proper and timely support. Therefore, parents also need to give their children the right to fail, helping them face and accept defeat in a positive way. The exam isn't everything; what's important is helping them develop healthy and appropriate coping skills.

In fact, many great people have experienced failures before achieving success. Thomas Edison, for example, went through more than 10,000 failed experiments to invent the light bulb. Each time he failed, he told himself, "Ah, I've found another way to prevent the light bulb from working."

I was very impressed by someone's quote: "The sky doesn't fall down just because you fail an exam." Every young person has different paths to success in life; finishing high school and then going to university isn't the only path to success.

Parents should explain to their children that failure is a part of life. One door may close, but another will open. The important thing is how they approach and cope with it in the years to come. Parents should also learn how to support their children, so they don't feel alone after the shock of failing an exam.

The 10th grade entrance exam is just one test; you can't judge a person's abilities and qualities solely based on the results. Meanwhile, the experiences gained from each failure are crucial, helping students become more confident, resilient, and mature later in life. I hope young people will always remember that every failure is an opportunity to become a better version of themselves, because "without pressure, there are no diamonds"...

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/thi-vao-lop-10-khong-co-ap-luc-thi-khong-co-kim-cuong-274568.html