Beyond the Grade: How a Supportive Community Helped Me Thrive
“I am so grateful that I have managed to learn Dharma at a young age, because it saves me so much time in trying to find the best way to live my life.”
I entered primary school already feeling very pressured as I felt the need to get full marks and do better than my peers. Thankfully, my parents enrolled me into BW Monastery's Children's Sutra Reading Class (读经班) in Primary 3, which had laid the foundation for my learning and growth in my childhood.
I got into my dream secondary school. In the first two years of secondary school, I completely lost my attitude in working hard as I was complacent and just wanted to play from now on. Consequently, my grades took a toll on me and I even failed several subjects. That was until I met the Lamrim.
Since I’ve started learning, I have incorporated many different topics that I have learnt in the Lamrim into practice when I am facing struggles or difficulties in school. I am so grateful that I have managed to learn Dharma at a young age, because it saves me so much time in trying to find the best way to live my life.
In one of the chapters I have learnt, it elaborates explicitly about human life and how rare and precious it is to get it. I started to think from the lens of schooling. I became more aware that I actually have a healthy mind that is able to contemplate and absorb information, I have a good family which never allowed me to worry about my finances and a school which makes learning conditions as ideal as it can get. I realized it would be an absolute waste of my human life if I don't make the best use out of my conditions and I don't use the opportunities I have now to do my best. It may even seem as if I am wasting my life.
The Dharma also explores extensively on the concept of having infinite lives. Surprisingly, I found myself being able to apply this concept in school too! Before I started learning Dharma, I adopted a bad habit of giving up when I did not understand a subject, for instance, mathematics and science. Upon learning that one of the very few things we can bring to our next life is our habits, I became more aware of this bad habit of giving up. I reflected and decided I did not want future me to adopt this habit. Hence, I started to step out of my comfort zone and put more effort into the subjects I am weak at. Though it feels unnatural, I believe that changing this will impact my future life and I will be someone who does not give up even when the going gets tough! To my surprise, I saw an improvement in Mathematics and Science because of this.
Most importantly, my intentions in approaching my studies have changed.
Previously, all I had in mind when studying was to get good grades for a better and more comfortable life for myself and my family to retire happily. I realized that I can do bigger and better things not just for my family but for the society and everyone around me. I now study hard so I can impact everyone positively. As a Global Studies student, I learn about international relations. If I study hard, I can understand different countries better and bring peace to the world using my knowledge, maybe even preventing wars.
In my first two years of university, academic stress pushed me to the brink several times. Overly worried about failing, I became consumed by exam anxiety and paralyzed by the fear of speaking up in class.
But within the supportive community here in BStar, I found the strength to stay true to myself. Hearing my class facilitator, Weiyuan, share his own struggles – overcoming rigorous exams to become an MOE teacher – resonated deeply. Weiyuan's reliance on prayer for guidance offered a powerful alternative to my paralyzing anxiety.
Embracing this practice, I brought a small Buddha statue to my dorm, a constant reminder to seek wisdom and strength through supplication. This shift in focus, from fearing failure to seeking knowledge, allowed me to redefine success.
Surrounded by my virtuous friends who reminded me of the greater goal, I learned that true worth comes not from competition, but from striving with a clear heart and goal. This supportive community became the anchor I needed to weather academic storms and stay grounded on the path most important.
Ng Zhi Yi, 23
NUS Year 4 Student
