Best Progress Award

First, I would like to thank the Government for the Best Progress Award, which serves as a token of recognition of my past academic performance and encourages me to redouble my efforts in my future studies.

My first year at university, as I recall now, was filled with setbacks.  I skipped classes frequently out of laziness; I tried to get through with minimal effort out of ignorance; and I thought that knowledge would easily come by out of self-conceit.  I am thankful that I came to my senses before the end of my first year.  Horrified by my poor academic performance, I made determined efforts to mend my ways and develop a better learning attitude.  Having hit the rock bottom, I gathered myself for a new beginning.

To achieve this goal, I worked strategically to improve my English.  I spent more time reading academic articles to acquaint myself with their vocabulary and style.  I also began to take every lesson seriously, making sure that I understood the main points and the professor’s expectations.  Moreover, I took part in institutional debate competitions in the belief that the more we debate, the closer we get to the truth.  Though I am a changed person, I have yet to achieve my goal.  The bestowing of the Best Progress Award humbles me as there remains some distance to go before I can see myself as the “Best”.  I firmly believe that humility and constant reflection are the key to continuous improvement.

There are moments when we feel lost because of failures.  It is the ability to embrace failures and learn from them that makes one stand out as a successful person.  Right now, I am making my way up.  My next goal is to become a teacher and motivate others with my zeal for learning.