However, taken to the context of a classroom teaching and learning environment, some students are born great, while others have to toil and sweat to achieve greatness. In every classroom generation, there is a distinct and rare gem of intellectually gifted students who seem to achieve greatness effortlessly. The so-called straight students do not necessarily have to apply themselves fully as others do, but remain assured of top grades or number positions in the pecking order. But a majority of students are destined to burn the midnight oil to achieve great grades.
The big lesson I learnt in my personal encounter with secondary education was that while success comes relatively easy for some, some must force the issue. As a student, I was in the category of the latter group and it was not until I began navigating my junior certificate course that I became much more aware of this. When they released my first half yearly Form One examination results back in 1983, I was stunned. I found myself placed at position 13. I remember this vividly because it was like I had an encounter with a ghost. It was the biggest shock of my life.
