Editorial: Swot a slog but pay off well worth it

Hindsight is a wonderful thing and there are probably many people who wish they could have their school career over again so they could study harder and do better.

It is only in later life that many people realise how important a good education is.

NCEA exams start tomorrow with scholarship drama the first paper. There are probably many families whose lives have been turned upside down because the teenager in the house is stressing about the upcoming exams.

Exams can bring out the best or the worst in a person.

It always used to amaze me how different people would approach exams. Some people are so relaxed they are almost horizontal while others work themselves up into a lather.

I am not sure which method works as I have known people from both camps who have done equally well or badly. It all depends on the personality - some people need to be tense to motivate themselves, while others need to be totally relaxed to do well.

Either way, there is only one sure way for students to guarantee success in exams - study hard.

It is a simple philosophy that always works. When people work hard for something, they generally do well. When no effort is made, then good results cannot be expected.

Students need to realise that the time they have to study is very short. It may be boring and hard at times, especially when your friends are out enjoying themselves. But it is better to work hard while you can, instead of living with regret when the bad results come in.

Unfortunately for those sitting the NCEA exams, the results do take a long time to be released. Students finish exams in early December but have to wait until mid-January before they know how they have done. It can be a painful wait, especially if some students feel they could have worked harder. A student cannot really enjoy Christmas and New Year with the burden of results hanging over their head.

So to all Hawke's Bay students studying for NCEA, work hard and do your best.

Good luck.