Speech

Greetings to the President of the Public Services Credit Union Mrs. Margaret Weston, Vice President Mr. Hugh Clarke, members of the executive, the board, staff, parents, well wishers and our esteemed group of awardees. The first thing that came to mind when I was writing this speech was that I am very proud to be able to speak on behalf of such a fine organization. The second was that I have no intention to make this speech boring. Speeches are often a time when peoples’ minds begin to wander about what they are going to have for dinner.

Congratulations to you students for successfully overcoming the hurdle of the SEA exam. Your hard work and sacrifice have paid off and you are now on the cusp of beginning an exciting period of your life. You should look forward to secondary school and all the challenges and joys that it will bring.

Many years ago I sat in the same spot as you students did anxiously awaiting the start of Form One at Bishop Anstey High School. The bridge between Primary and Secondary school is quite wide. In your final year as a SEA student you would have been at the top of the school. You may have even been among the brightest and well loved students in your year group. Your first year of secondary school may seem like starting at the bottom of the food chain. You are forced to make new friends. You have to readjust to a much more intense academic workload with different subjects. In addition you are expected to participate in your new schools various extracurricular activities. In the midst of all of this you must deal with the challenges of being an adolescent.

However, you should not feel overwhelmed by these challenges. We are all capable of achieving success in our lives. As a teacher I see the obstacles that my students face on a regular basis and how they meet these challenges head on. As such I would like to offer you some tips to succeed in your life at school and beyond. Many of us have the wrong picture of how success is to be measured. Success should not be measured in terms of wealth, possessions, power or even reaching a finite goal. In fact the picture of success is not the same for any two persons. Success is about knowing your purpose in life, maximizing your full potential and always sowing your seeds for the benefit of others. As such, success should be seen as a journey rather than a destination.

The first tip is to manage your time properly. It is essential to have a balanced life if you want to be a successful student. In Trinidad we tend to place the emphasis solely on Academics. We are dominated by a culture that places the emphasis on lessons as well as getting high scores on tests. While this is important, it should not cause the other aspects of your life to suffer. You must be able to balance your life at school with your family life and your extra curricular activities. Procrastination is something that we are all guilty of, and we should never indulge in it.

One way to manage your time is to make a time table of activities that you can easily stick to. Practice self-discipline and always aim to achieve at least one task a day. Another tip is to always have an updated list of goals that you can visualize and work towards. Always keep in mind your short term goals that you want to achieve in a small space of time, as well as your long term goals that you will work towards. If you are a forgetful person, try making lists of all the things that you need to achieve. These small steps can help you to manage your time better.

While your academics must always be a top priority, be sure to have time to pursue your hobbies. Too often, students drop out of activities that they are good at because they are afraid that it will affect their performance in their exams. If it were not for a strong interest in sports some of our heroes such as Brian Lara or Dwight Yorke would have never developed into world class athletes. If you have an interest in the Arts then take the time to perfect your pitch or enhance your brush strokes. Never be afraid to pursue the extra activity that you love. It will bring a joy and balance to your life.

High school is also a time when you must master your study habits. Many students complain that they spend several hours studying and still are not achieving the type of results that they want. You must learn to effectively use your study time. One hour of effective study is much more beneficial than five hours of poor studying. The quality of what you study is of vital importance. Focus your attention on the homework and assignments that your teachers give to you. They will serve as a guide to your revision. Try to get all your studies done in the early evening after you return from school as opposed to late at night. In this way you will have more energy to effectively handle your tasks.

Make use of the public library and the facilities that it offers. As learners, people remember 90 % of what they do. Instead of only looking at Nickelodeon or the Disney Channel, take the time to look at educational stations such as Gayelle or Animal Planet. If you learn to follow these habits then your studying will become a much more enjoyable experience. Also, try to read as many books as possible in your spare time. Reading is a sure way to improve your grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary. It is also one of the best ways to enhance your perspective. Take the time to read some our great West Indian authors such as V.S. Naipaul and Derek Walcott.

It is also never too early to develop healthy lifestyle habits. In order to be successful your body must be able to function well, and this becomes increasingly apparent as you get older. Even if you are not an athletic person try to incorporate some exercise into your lifestyle at least once a week. Also, be weary of eating too much fast food. We are in a period in which there are a number of fast food restaurants available. While junk food may be tasty, too much of it will make you sluggish and unfit. Many students often are tired by the time it is the final period of the afternoon and this is due in part to poor eating habits. In addition you must always try to get enough sleep so that you can have enough energy to get through your day. Your health is your responsibility and you must learn from a young age to take charge of it.

In this year 2007 and beyond it becomes increasingly important to be computer literate. We are at the point of education where students are being asked to complete assignments online. It is imperative that you have a good command of both Microsoft Word as well as PowerPoint. If you are competent on the computer it will help you with assignments and generally make your life mush easier. However, you should also be weary of the dangers of the internet and always use it wisely.

Another issue that continues to face teachers, parents and students is the use of cell phones. At this stage of your life, a cell phone should only be used if absolutely necessary. Too often they are a distraction to students and are often confiscated in schools. Additionally, expensive cell phones may make you a target for theft. While it may be tempting to spend your time talking and sending text messages, it will be much more beneficial if you use that time to be productive.

The teenage years are also affected by peer pressure. I have seen many students that come from good home environments, but fall into trouble because they do not have a good group of friends. As the old adage goes: "Friends will carry you, but they will not bring you back." Be weary of friends that encourage you to disobey your parents. There are many temptations that can distract you from climbing the ladder of success. Your fiends should be a group of people that seek your best interest and encourage you to achieve excellence. When you spend time with positive people, you help to see things in a better light.

It is imperative that you have a good attitude towards life. There are some young people that do not appreciate all that they have and they spend a lot of time complaining. A good attitude makes the difference between success and failure. Do not be afraid of failure. It is okay to fall down as long as you learn something as you get up. Your first step towards a great attitude is to have a strong sense of self-worth. If you are confident in your abilities you will never settle for mediocrity in life. Excellence is always a choice. Always remember that you deserve the best and should be treated with respect and professionalism.

Parents, I would like to tell you to continue doing the great job that you have been doing. You have already helped them to overcome the major hurdle of SEA. As they enter secondary school they are going to need your support more than ever. I am very fortunate to be blessed with a great father and mother. They have always been there for me, whether it was to pick me up from a rehearsal at 1:00 am, to bringing me a snack while I was studying. Without them I would not be half the person I am today, and I encourage you parents to be the same.

I would also encourage you to enforce in your children a high sense of self-esteem. This is an issue that bears equal weight to both boys and girls. Children must learn from a young age to believe in themselves. If this belief is fostered it will help them to fight the many evils that they will have to face.

Finally, you will never be truly successful if you do not always keep God in your life. We are always busy in today’s fast paced lifestyle, but if we remember to always acknowledge God, then we will continue to stay on the right path.

I would like to leave you students with a quotation from my father that simply states "The world is your oyster." You are young and have a fresh and exciting life ahead of you. You are our future politicians, doctors, lawyers and teachers. Leap into life and enjoy your journey into success. Thank you.