By Siti Nabilah Shaikh Omar
GOMBAK: As the dawn of final examination season is approaching, preparations are again in full swing as students lock themselves up and stay away from the outside world, lost in the pages of their textbooks, busy revising their notes for the umpteenth time in a desperate bid to memorise all that had been passed over their heads since their courses began.
For many of them, the importance of success in examinations has been influenced into their impressionable minds from the outset of school life, by parents, teachers and peers. Thus, the stressful times in life sitting for examinations are inevitable.
So within the midst of an atmosphere of such immense stresses, we need to pause and look back by asking ourselves what is the purpose of pursuing our studies by taking a first degree, master or PhD here in the University?
First and foremost, we really need to check and correct our very main intention to study. Make an intention and renew them! For instance ask Allah for help; œOh Allah Almighty!! I am learning all of your knowledge, in order for me to attain halal sustenance, through this I would like to attain Your Pleasure and be more knowledgeable; through this I can please my parents and make them happy..
By having multiple intentions we can get tremendous benefits in whatever we embark on in the new future. Through the correct intentions that we have, examinations have become a source of guidance and knowledge for us and a source to draw more closely to Allahs Mercy upon us and the Ummah to make this world a better place.
We do not need to worry much about the grade if it does not satisfy oneself. Do not be upset after all the efforts that have been placed and did not pay off. Indeed, we need to be more thankful that through the examinations we have gone through, we get the chance to gain more knowledge. As we know, grades do not measure the knowledge that we get.
If failure ever arises, never take any drastic action or give up. Remember the verse, œDo not despair of the mercy of Allah (39:53). We cannot seek a permanent solution for a temporary problem. Evaluate the causes of failure and attempt corrective action, instead of giving up and stop striving.
May Allah ease all our affairs in this world and the hereafter.***
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