Why.Do.I.Take.Exams?

"Why are you always taking exams?!" - That's a common question from people I know.

Yeah! If you notice it, I'm always taking exams. No - It wasn't a result from a traumatic childhood experience of being forced to go tuition, get good grades or being locked in a room to study. No - I wasn't a studious person with thick speckie when I was kid, infact, I was quite playful and usually do badly in my exams. Finally, No - I am not from another planet. *HeHe*

Exams do send shivers to me - once, I vomitted non-stop before sitting for my exams and nearly got admitted into the hospital. I normally get insomnia and gastric the day before I sit for any exams and would probably get a migraine the day after that due to lack of sleep. My parents would know that very well.

So, how come I am still taking exams despite all those side-effects? Afterall, I do have a choice to stay away from them. There are several reasons why I take exams. Firstly, I would like to conquer my fear (Yeah! Fear Factor) - the anxiety of taking exams. Nowadays, I suffer less from those side-effects I mentioned earlier but they are still not gone.

Secondly, exams keep me sharp and tested on the knowledge I possess. I have set myself a quota of three exams every year since 1999 and every year, I have been consistently achieving them - some years like this one, I exceed my quota. ;) If I don't go for certification exams, I will go for my degree exams. Anything as long as it helps me learn something new and get tested.

Exams also allow me to experience and accept my failures. Although I usually pass the exams I take but there are times when I fail miserably and initially, it was hard for me to accept those failures. But now, whenever I failed, I will analyze what went wrong, what were my weaknesses and try to do better the next time.

I don't really know when I will stop taking exams. Probably, as long as I find excitement in the things I do and there is knowledge for me to acquire, I guessed I will keep doing it if I'm still capable. So, the next time you discover that I'm taking an exam, just give me a pat on the back and wish me luck. ;)

*HuGs*