Wardle student diary: daily struggles and accomplishments

Kenneth Jackson

A daunting task is a task worth pursuing. Not only will you reap the rewards for all of your effort and dedication, it helps to develop you as a person whilst proving that the biggest obstacle you’ll face during any challenge is most likely yourself.

This is something I, Kenneth Jackson, had the privilege of learning over the past few weeks, most especially because of all my exam preparation, sitting the dreaded deed itself and amongst other things that have proven to be exciting new avenues that have opened up to me in my school career, all providing new experiences and responsibilities that I have fully attempted to make the most of and cherish. After all, grasping the opportunities we are given is paramount to fulfilling our fullest potential as students and as the future generation.

Over the course of May-June, my priorities have mostly centred on preparing for my summer exams since the exam season (especially for GCSE students) is pretty much the condensation of four of five years’ work all bundled into a timed exam paper that can and will make all the difference to your future aspirations. So naturally, I was determined to commit as much as I could to revising for them in any shape or form.

However, at first, no matter how much I applied, I always felt a sense of doubt in my attempts. I don’t know if it was just simply nerves, the fact that these were the real thing (despite the fact that I had sat real GCSE exams previously without an issue) or if I truly had lost the plot I couldn’t let my efforts stagnate. Something had to be done, sooner rather than later.

For most of my other exams, I had relied on testing myself and learning the mark scheme in order to prepare, which had served me well in the past but unfortunately this didn’t look to be the case any more. So, to combat this I took it upon myself to try other alternatives that were foreign to me at first but most definitely cured my inabilities.

Going to revision clubs and confiding in teachers with the problems I was having with exam preparation did wonders for my resolve and put me on track to grades I was more than capable of achieving.

The key exams I was confronted with were core subjects such as science and maths, which were very important to me, but my greatest concern was my history compulsory re-sit.

After achieving an A* in my paper one exam in January and completing my coursework to an exceptional standard, I had the opportunity to improve upon my previous paper two grade and scrape those last few marks in order to accumulate an overall A* grade.

However, this opportunity was a double-edged sword. Although I had the potential to improve upon my previous grade, as this was a compulsory re-sit the outcome of this exam would be my determined grade and with significantly less time to prepare for this, the pressure was on.

What was the outcome?  I won’t find out until results day in August. I have been pretty confident with every exam I have sat so far and I’m feeling fairly confident that I have persevered.

Another commendable occurrence that I have had the privilege in getting involved with is contributing to the recent school blog of the new school build construction. For the June instalment, I was able to go on-site and witness for myself how far our new school has come on since it began last year. With the footage we obtained whilst there, I provided a voice over that detailed various information on the three main blocks of the new school and some new utilities that will be available when we finally move into it sometime into the next school year.

It was an honour to be able to see a perception of our new school that many students will not be able to see first hand and for me, gave a greater appreciation for what has been somewhat of a phantom limb of our school for a small time now, but seeing the incredible work that has been put into it has enticed me to see what’s in store for us students behind those walls when we are ready to move in.

To top it all off, I recently was acknowledged for my progress in drama during the awards evening Wardle High hold annually to reward the outstanding achievements of students. Since it was my first time receiving an award, it was definitely a pleasant experience and it was nice to have your efforts acknowledged in an official fashion and share in the accomplishments of others as well.

So as you can see, a lot can be achieved within a month. Achievements that anyone can perform, even if you need a little support along the way. As long as we use the tools we are provided with anyone and everyone can shine through their strengths, overcome troubling tasks and show pride in what we can accomplish.

We are all learning and investing for tomorrow, so let’s make the most of today.