Just returned about an hour ago from Sembawang after tutoring a group of my ex-students. It seemed that the exam fever has caught on faster than I had expected and I expect it to get hotter as the exam nears. Had my first session at 3.30pm at Civil Centre with my sec 2 gal for Maths before meeting one of my 'adult' students to go through some of her ITE materials. Then it was off to Sun Plaza to meet my sec 3 gals. Was pleased to know that I haven't been forgotten especially during this critical period, at least in their eyes I'm still good for something. Of course, I'm not implying that they didn't remember me until they need me but was glad that they still have enough faith in me to seek my help. In fact, I'm grateful to them to have given me the opportunity to crack my brain before it becomes rusty.

Had actually enjoyed these learning sessions as not only do I get an update on what have been happening in their lives but more importantly I get to relearn what I had learnt decades ago. Realised that there haven't been much changes and that much of what I had learnt was still relevant. Through the relearning process, I not only reinforce what I already know but also got to learn new things which further broaden my horizon. Learning is a lifelong process and we should all learn as much as we could for as long as we live. In fact, I have learn as much from my students as they have learnt from me, an ideal win-win situation.

Would be seeing more of them over the next few weekends, at least until the end of their exams after which they will be having the long break they have been longing for. Come to think of it, I suddenly realised that 2005 will be coming to an end in about 3 months' time and 2006 will be knocking at our door pretty soon. Then soon, my ex-students would be studying at a level where even if I have the heart to help, I won't be able to. Perhaps I should upgrade myself and return to school to study rather than to teach. Perhaps I should pursue my studies overseas so as to make a better contribution. Perhaps I should just be contented with what I already know and leave the pursuit to the younger generations and fade away gradually. Perhaps or perhaps not but one thing for sure, we are living in a ever changing world and whoever couldn't keep up with the advancement will be left behind and become an outcast. Thus for those who still feel that studying is a waste of time, I urge you to think again. If you were to stop learning now, when will you ever catch up with the rest of the society? Though there are successful people who didn't have a proper education, one of the reasons for their success is that they all possess a strong desire to learn and to acquire knowledge (not from school alone). Just as we always upsize our McDonald's meals, wouldn't you like to upsize your knowledge base too? Or do you feel that you have already known enough and that there isn't a need to learn anymore?

'Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.'

'It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.'

'We must learn our limits. We are all something but none of us is everything.'