Runner-up of Block C nationwide shares self-study secrets

Say no to extra classes

InHigh school graduation examRecently, with 29 points for admission to block C (Literature: 9; History: 9.75; Geography 9.75), Phan Thi Kim Chi - a student of class 12C, Dang Thai Mai High School, has excellently become 1 of 7 runner-up in block C nationwide.

Arriving at the house located halfway up the mountain in Xuan Hien hamlet, Thanh Xuan commune (Thanh Chuong), we met Kim Chi while she was helping her father pick tea. The girl had a slim figure, a radiant smile and chatted politely.

“I feel very happy because my efforts have been as expected and quite surprised with my Literature score, because I scored myself 9 points, but the result increased by 0.5 points. As for Geography and History, I quite regret because I initially got those 2 wrong questions right,” Chi shared.

Kim Chi did not register for extra classes like her friends, but only studied on her own. Photo: Diep Phuong

Talking about her exam preparation process, Kim Chi revealed: “Before going to study, I always set goals for myself to achieve. For subjects that meet the graduation exam requirements, such as Math and English, I will try to study and memorize the lessons in class. At home, I will only focus on studying the 3 university entrance exam subjects: Literature, History, and Geography.”

It is worth mentioning that Kim Chi did not register for extra classes like her friends, but only studied on her own. According to Chi, the most important thing in studying block C is high concentration and understanding the key points of the problem and events. Therefore, she memorized the knowledge in the textbooks, mastered the essence and practiced many exam codes from previous years and advanced exams.

To increase her memory, Chi chooses the time frame from 2-6am to study. According to Chi, this is the ideal time frame, midnight to dawn is the quietest time of the day, when it is easiest to concentrate. "I focus on allocating my study time evenly across all 3 subjects, the first 2 hours I spend reviewing 2 subjects, and the last 2 hours I will spend on the remaining subject, because the latter subject is often more difficult to absorb. Dawn is also the time I prepare to go to school. My house is more than 15km from school, so I arrive at school after 6am so as not to be late for school."

We met Chi when she was helping her father pick tea. Photo: Diep Phuong

During 12 years of school Chi was alwaysexcellent studentIn grades 8 and 9, she continuously achieved excellent student at the district level in History; in grade 12, she won third prize in excellent student at the provincial level in History. With 29 points in the recent high school graduation exam, Kim Chi is the candidate with the highest score at Dang Thai Mai High School, the runner-up in block C nationwide, and in the top 10 candidates with the highest scores in block C nationwide.

Although the door to university is wide open, she still worries about the cost of studying far beyond her family's financial means. Kim Chi is the second child in a family of five children, with three younger siblings in grades 2, 7 and 9. The family's main source of income depends on the several acres of rice and tea fields around the hill. During the off-season, her father often works as a construction worker, while her mother works as a porter to earn money for daily expenses and to raise her growing children. Although the family escaped poverty a few years ago, life in the countryside is still difficult.

Will work extra to nurture my dream of becoming a lawyer.

On the day of applying for a major and university, this female student was oriented by her parents and relatives to the People's Security Academy. Becoming a police officer would be a proud honor for her family. In addition, if she applied for these majors, the pressure on tuition fees would also be reduced, she would not have to pay tuition fees, and would receive a monthly allowance. This was considered a "win-win" major for Kim Chi. But in the end, she decided to apply for her first choice at the University of Law, Ho Chi Minh City.

Kim Chi with her father and younger sister. Photo: Diep Phuong

Explaining this, Kim Chi confided: “When I was in 9th grade, I started to get acquainted with the internet. At that time, I accidentally read an essay about the Law industry, and I was very interested. From that moment on, I was always curious and wanted to learn about the Law industry. I like strong arguments, using legal knowledge to defend the weak and demand justice. Understanding the law will also help me have a more correct perspective on life and gradually improve myself to become a useful person for society. I am a person who loves freedom, has strong opinions and personality, so I think I am not suitable for the highly disciplined environment of a security school. Although choosing the Law industry will be difficult for me, but pursuing what I love will give me a lot of joy and inspiration to conquer.”

Talking about his daughter, Mr. Phan Van Trieu - Chi's father shared: "Since childhood, Chi has been very understanding. After school hours, she often helps her mother with housework, helps her father pick tea, and teaches her younger siblings to study. My family was very happy when we learned about her exam results. Although the livestock farming is losing money and the family's economy is struggling, we will try to borrow money and do our best to help Chi go to university."

Admirable academic achievement of the runner-up of the national C block, Phan Thi Kim Chi. Photo: Diep Phuong

“All beginnings are hard,” Kim Chi said. Although the road ahead is full of challenges, she will never give up. University is not only a journey to realize her dreams, but also a place for Chi to discover many interesting perspectives of life, as well as make many new friends. After enrolling and getting used to the new environment, Chi will find a part-time job to make things easier for her parents.

The reason why Chi is always confident in saying that she can live independently after entering university is because she follows the example of her older sister. Her older sister is currently studying accounting and Chinese at a college in Da Nang. Since entering school, Chi's older sister has also done many extra jobs outside of class hours: shipping, coffee shop waitress, dishwasher... earning 3 - 4 million VND per month to cover her tuition and living expenses without needing family support.

With 29 points for admission to block C, Phan Thi Kim Chi - a 12th grade student at Dang Thai Mai High School - has excellently become one of the 7 runners-up in block C nationwide. Photo: NVCC

In adversity, wisdom often emerges. Even though we cannot choose where we are born, we can choose how we live. It is the difficult and poor circumstances that have fostered the courage and will to be independent from an early age in the two sisters Kim Chi. Today's dynamic and integrated society will be a good land for those who are eager to learn, love to explore, conquer knowledge and know how to nurture dreams like Chi.

Sharing about her student, Ms. Pham Thi Binh - Head teacher said: "For 3 years of high school, she has always been a top student of the school. In class, Kim Chi is a diligent, progressive student, and arranges her study time very scientifically. With the score she achieved in the recent exam, Kim Chi has become the student with the highest score at Dang Thai Mai High School so far. Hopefully, Chi will continue to be strong and try to reach her dream"./.