Hard Work, Dedication Reap Rewards For Suhana
Everything is possible in a student’s life if hard work and dedication is supplemented with a commitment to make necessary sacrifices.
It could not have been any sweeter for a Tilak High School Year 13 student Suhana Shaista Sahib when she scored the highest mark in the Fiji Year 12 Certificate Examinations last year.
Suhana scored 372 out of 400 in FY12CE last year and she plans to pursue her tertiary studies at the University of the South Pacific next year.
In previous years when everyone would receive trophies on stage, she sat fingers crossed yet confident that one day she too would be among the prize winners one day. “My early years at school was average for me,” Suhana said. “When I was in Form Four, I was known to be an average student.
“But when I got first position in Form 5, it struck me that if I worked even harder I could still do much better.”
Suhana said that she had always been hungry for success.
She noted that peer pressure was among other factors deterring a student from reaching full potential.
“I usually get distracted when my friends are talking about something else during my studies,” she said.
“I need to focus all throughout the day.”
There isn’t a single minute that she will put to waste. She even carries her short notes during recess breaks and she would find space and time to read through them.
“It is really useful for me, because at least during that time I’m able to learn something new,” Suhana said.
“I’m doing all of this for my parents happiness because they have been really supportive towards my studies.
“If I give them nothing, there is no sense in me coming to school.” Suhana also gathers inspiration from quotations that she likes reading daily.
“They will forget you if you win a silver, but everyone will remember you if you win a gold,” she said. “Be a champion in life or be nothing.” is a quotation that inspires her to reach the top in education. Suhana said students should never lose their motivation in life.
While attraction to social media is another factor taking control of students she makes it clear that in examinations, social media will not help.
Suhana also won an essay competition organised by the South Africa Embassy and University of the South Pacific.
Her message to all students is that rewards will come for those who make the sacrifice and study. “You just have to follow your dreams and make firm decisions between your social life and when you have to make sacrifices,” she said.