Pan-Cypriot, a station of life or a moment in time?!

A period filled with mixed emotions for students: anxiety, worry, concern, impatience. At the same time, a significant chapter of adolescence, the school years, is coming to an end, and another new, different one with unknown content is about to begin. This is the adult life, which for some follows military service, for others university, college, and for others, work.

The Pan-Cypriot exams have been marked as a huge opportunity of “life and death.” Students and parents struggle to maintain their composure and their relationship through the ups and downs of moods and emotions, studying, and long tutoring sessions. “YOU MUST pass,” say the parents, “I MUST pass,” say the students.

And if they don’t pass, what will happen? Is it the only opportunity that won’t come again? No! It is ONE of the opportunities offered that actually repeats every year. “And all this effort they made?” A voice echoes in my mind; it may indeed be one of the most common responses I get when I say that the world hasn’t ended.

Yes, indeed, a tremendous effort, endless hours. EXPERIENCE, that is what it is called. An experience that teaches everyone what can be done better next time, whatever that next time may be (because many such times will come) that will relate to exams, studying, maintaining composure, and better organization.

“But I failed.” What a word that is, and how tragic a meaning we give it, it is recorded so deeply in the minds of students, carrying it with them for years, becoming one with their identity.

In a competition, in exams, there have always been those who succeed and those who are left out, because there are rules, there are limits, “good” and “bad” grades, and efforts.It’s not a failure… it’s a period filled with experiences and results that provide insights into what would be good to correct, redefine, and implement better next time.

And there are CHOICES and OPPORTUNITIES, which, with an open mind, weigh in and lead to decisions.

Let’s all train our minds, even from a young age, to view all events in life as opportunities for self-improvement, maturation, redefinition of actions and efforts. What matters is not just the destination, but the journey towards it!

Marigiorgia Voskariadou
Career Consultant