Mother of "double valedictorian": Specialized studies are not difficult if it is your child's dream

The mother of "Double Valedictorian" Bui Nhat Minh believes that studying for a major will not be a pressure if it comes from the child's passion, but it is a burden if it is the parents' expectation.

With the achievement of double valedictorian in the Math major of the Pedagogical High School and the Natural Science High School, Bui Nhat Minh (student of class 9A6 of Nguyen Tat Thanh Secondary and High School) has become one of the most outstanding students in the 10th grade entrance exam in Hanoi this year.

"Double valedictorian" Bui Nhat Minh. Photo: NVCC.

According to the announced results, in the exam of the High School for the Gifted at the University of Education, Minh scored 10 points in general Math and 9.75 points in specialized Math, the total admission score was 29.5/30, nearly 10 points higher than the standard score. Previously, in the entrance exam to the High School for the Gifted in Natural Sciences, the male student also won the top position with a total score of 29 (Math condition 9, specialized Math 10), 9.5 points higher than the standard score.

Talking to Knowledge and Life, Ms. Nguyen Thi Tho, Nhat Minh's mother, could not hide her emotion: "Happiness is overwhelming. I never thought that my child would be the valedictorian, whether in Natural Sciences or Pedagogy, because many of his peers are very good. So, when he was the valedictorian at both schools that he loved and dreamed of, I was surprised, touched and very happy."

"Old Man" Qualities and Admirable Self-Discipline

Sharing her secret to raising her child, Ms. Nguyen Thi Tho, currently a lecturer at the Faculty of Philosophy, Hanoi National University of Education, said that Minh's success largely comes from his own efforts and qualities. "Basically, it's all on his own. Because he studies with passion. Sometimes, I even have to "brake" him down a bit," Ms. Tho shared.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Tho and her son. Photo: NVCC.

Tho said that Minh's passion for learning is also reflected in his daily activities. Many times, when he was doing a difficult math problem and his mother called him out to eat, Minh would say, "Mom, wait for me," and would not leave his desk until he finished solving the problem.

"My son is a very self-disciplined boy. He studies with passion, so I never have to urge him to study too much. I even have to remind him that if he feels tired while studying, he should rest and not try too hard. But if he feels that he has not completed the assigned task, he will have to complete it. He is a disciplined child," Tho shared.

According to Tho, her child has shown this discipline since he was a child. When he was in elementary school, his homeroom teachers often joked that they loved "old man" Nhat Minh. They loved him because they saw that he always had to be serious, always had to set his own rules to follow.

This quality seems to be inborn and not cultivated by the family, the family only contributes a part. Although Minh has a good family background with his father having studied at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, his grandfather is a Physics teacher, and his mother is an associate professor and doctor of Philosophy, but almost all of Minh's habits and passions were formed and practiced by himself.

"When I was pregnant with Minh, I was doing my PhD research and defending my thesis. Maybe he studied Philosophy and had a mindset from the womb," Tho laughed happily.

Studying is not a burden if you have passion.

One special thing is that during his primary school years, Nhat Minh did not go to any extra classes, even when studying for the secondary school entrance exam. He only learned martial arts, learned to play musical instruments, and learned English.

During his primary school years, Nhat Minh did not attend any extra classes anywhere. Photo: NVCC.

It was not until the end of 6th grade, when the family realized that their child really loved and had a talent for Math, that they found out and sent Minh to an extra class.

This decision also came from careful consideration. Teachers at Nguyen Tat Thanh Secondary and High School recognized Minh's aptitude for Mathematics and advised him to major in Mathematics, so the family found an intensive class for him.

In the face of controversy over whether or not to send children to specialized schools, Ms. Tho believes that the key lies in respecting children's abilities and passions.

"I think that when your child is capable and loves the subject, he or she will feel happy about studying and not feel any pressure. The important thing is to choose according to your child's ability to encourage and motivate him or her, not forcing him or her to follow your parents' expectations," she said.

For example, with Minh, because he loves Math, I don't see him feeling pressured when he has to do a lot of exercises and some are difficult. When the child is passionate and the work is suitable for his ability, he won't feel tired, and his parents won't worry too much. But if you force your child to follow your dreams, it can lead to overloading, and in the end, the results won't be as expected.

The viewpoint of respecting children's choices has been implemented by Ms. Tho's family with all of her children. Her eldest daughter, who was a language major, was oriented by her parents to "hot" majors such as Diplomacy and Foreign Trade, but in the end she unexpectedly changed direction to study directing at the University of Theater and Cinema. Her parents also respected her interests and created conditions for her to study.

"Because I like it and am very passionate about it, when I took the entrance exam to the school, I passed the school's gifted class, got a scholarship, and my parents didn't even have to pay tuition. After graduating, my parents didn't have to find a job for me. In my family, the children are always given the opportunity and support to fulfill their dreams, not their parents' dreams," Tho shared.

From the reality of raising children, and through observation, Ms. Tho believes that specialized schools will be a very good environment for students with ability and passion. "On the contrary, it will become a burden and pressure if children have to try too hard," Ms. Tho said.

The family was very touched by the attention from the Board of Directors of the High School for the Gifted in Natural Sciences. Ms. Tho said that she was very surprised to receive a congratulatory letter directly sent by Principal Le Cong Loi. "I thought the Principal would only sign the letter and the office would send it, but he was the one who sent it himself. Afterwards, a teacher at the school called back to ask if the family had received the letter. I was really touched by the affection and care of the teacher and the school," she said.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/me-thu-khoa-kep-hoc-chuyen-khong-nang-neu-la-uoc-mo-con-post1549919.html