Attempt Question One and Any Other Two

In many institutions of higher learning, including my Alma mater to be, an instruction so crucial, and which is more often than not, overlooked by many in every examination, is this simple and candid one; attempt question one and any other two. What is the bearing of this statement? What are the benefits that can accrue to us if we were to take it the way it is stated? Is there a possibility of falling into a doom loop if it is misinterpreted? Our understanding of this grand instruction will influence how we behave in the exam room, and spare us the shame and futile explanations we attempt to give, after our unorthodox techniques to graduate magna cum laude, have been hacked by the powers that be.

The word ‘attempt’ as used in the instruction, means: to make an effort to do, accomplish, solve, or effect. It is used as a transitive verb, for it has a direct object.

What it does not Mean:

For many people, when they hear the word attempt, they take it to mean, falling lower than the average. They see it as a warrant to give their minimum effort. They feel it their right to sleep, maintain a mode of sempiternal sabbatical, then when confronted with exams, do the bare minimum. So you have those groups of students  who are satisfied with probably copy pasting the questions, signing the roll and doing nothing more, waiting for a miracle to get a good grade. 

This is a misinterpretation of this statement. It is an abuse of God given faculties, to be satisfied with the least in our academic pursuits. We have to pursue the highest possible outcome by doing our part with passion put to use. The human brain is quite magnanimous in its possibilities, and if engaged to the fullest, it should help us to go beyond our registration details and re-writing the Questions.

“The true teacher is not content with dull thoughts, an indolent mind, or a loose memory. He constantly seeks higher attainments and better methods. His life is one of continual growth. In the work of such a teacher there is a freshness, a quickening power, that awakens and inspires his pupils.”

Counsels on Sabbath School Work p. 103

What does it mean?

Taken in its implied meaning, it simply means, we put an effort in question one and any other two. It is a statement of equity in the examination room. It means everyone should be comfortable, or experience some degree of comfort in the examination room. It means everyone should be satisfied with their degree of preparedness when cornered with exams. This piece of instruction, further divests us of the right to disturb anyone in the exam room. If our degree of preparedness can only allow us to fill in our registration details, sign the roll, and copy paste the questions, then we must be satisfied with that. It takes away from us, the right to have an achievement greater than our abilities and academic discipline. It calls us  to care less, who sits on our left or right side. It is a call to sanitise our examination behaviour and accept the existing yardstick.

For us to do this, we must align ourselves to the principle of success that has been laid down by God himself. Which principle is this?

“To every man is given “his work” (Mark 13:34), the work for which his capabilities adapt him, the work which will result in greatest good to himself and to his fellow men, and in greatest honor to God.  Thus our business or calling is a part of God’s great plan, and, so long as it is conducted in accordance with His will, He Himself is responsible for the results.”

Education p. 138

If we do things God’s way, He has promised to be responsible for the results. What if we become deans of revelry, and rely on ‘formation’? This is a recipe for disaster!

Take Away:

This write up is a call to discipline. It will spare us unnecessary drama. There is beauty in doing our work diligently and painstakingly. We are the enemies of the world, if we get satisfied with the lowest achievement. We must present our true self to the employers. Don’t be registered as a giant if you are a self made academic dwarf. Prepare well to answer the questions of life, that when called upon to give you answers, you can with confidence say, “That was my best and I cannot do any better, given another chance!”

Destroying any nation does not require the use of atomic bombs or the use of long range missiles. It only requires lowering the quality of education and allowing cheating in the examinations by the students.” Patients die at the hands of such doctors. Buildings collapse at the hands of such engineers. Money is lost at the hands of such economists & accountants. Humanity dies at the hands of such religious scholars. Justice is lost at the hands of such judges. “THE COLLAPSE OF EDUCATION IS THE COLLAPSE OF THE NATION.”

South African Lecturer.