Soldier On

Been away for quite some time from this space huh? Apologies, been busy trying to figure things out. After my less-than-stellar AS results in August, it has forced me to consider and reconsider my options as well as my future plans.

When I first came to KY, I was an enthusiastic dreamer. This place gives you power to dream big. Great facilities, experienced teaching staff, brilliant college mates that are willing to help you if you need them, minimal distraction from the outside world and an impressive track record of former students going on to do amazing stuff at university and afterwards.

Ask any fresh KY students where would they want to go after A-level and many would have Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Imperial etc on their lists. Many aspire to get good grades and offers from these top universities. After all, that's what most of us are here for in the first place.

But as months and semesters passed by in this college, you would be forced to reflect back on your course and university choices. If you thought you've always wanted to be a doctor since you were 6 years old, you'll be surprised how that plan will change into something very different when you're here. And if you've always wanted to go to Cambridge to do Law or Medicine, well, be prepared to face the fact that you might not be good enough for it.

Having said that, it shouldn't deter any of us from dreaming big and working towards that dream. But have a reality check from time to time, just to see where you are and what are you really worthy of. Should you come upon a stumbling block while you're here, don't be disheartened just yet. Take deep breaths, step back and look at the bigger picture. Seek help and advice from your seniors and teachers. Teachers, especially. They've seen things like this happen year in, year out so they should know what's the best advice to give you. Some may be harsher by dissecting your plans and show you what are possible and what are not. But trust me, you would need that.

God knows how many hitches I've been through this semester, especially with my university application. AS results la, switching courses and university choices just because my sponsor wouldn't allow my initial ones which then led me to rewriting my Personal Statement and researching more on the 'approved' universities. Yes, the path has slightly been altered and narrowed, but I try to keep it close to myself as much as possible. So, I could still say the path is 'mine'. Three-forth of my initial choices are still on my list and I'm still doing Economics despite other people advising me to abandon it.

And time really flies too over here! Third semester is already coming to an end in a few weeks' time and we'll be entering our final semester very soon. The 'fun' part in KY is largely gone by now. It's all about striving and studying harder while hoping for good offers. Chats with friends in the first two semesters on where we dream to study or what we would do over our summer breaks had been watered down to worries of whether or not we would get offers from these universities. Grey hair were also beginning to find their place on our heads!

I don't know what's coming ahead but all I know is things will get tougher and I've to work so much harder. There are times when I feel so overwhelmed and worried about the uncertain future. Gotta keep reminding myself to 'soldier on'. I'm lucky I've parents who won't stop believing in me and that helps, really.

Come to KY but come with a strong heart. Because this place is not for the faint-hearted.