Best friends won first and second prizes in the National Literature Competition: Passion and gratitude create miracles

Never thought I would be a member ofDNational Excellent Student Recruitment Team.However, not only are they official members, but they also achieved high results: This year, grade 12, at the National Excellent Student Exam, Thao Chi won first prize, Khanh Hien won second prize in Literature. For them, studying Literature with passion and gratitude has given them the success they have today.

Never thought I would be a member of the National Excellent Student Team

Entering grade 10Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted, Thao Chi and Khanh Hien both do not care about grades and also consider themselves to be "top students" in the class.

Khanh Hien said: "Participating in social activities and winning scholarships at home and abroad are the goals I set for myself during my 3 years of high school."

Not only the awards and glory but also the maturity are what you feel proud of after the National Excellent Student Exam. Photo: NVCC

Thao Chi shared: “Entering grade 10 with a lucky ticket (as a student recruited for additional admission), I myself feel that my academic ability is still very weak compared to my friends. I study Literature because of my love and passion, but the goal of becoming a National Excellent Student is something I have never dared to think about.”

Khanh Hien recalls: In 10th grade, the red ink essays and the comments from the teachers were always a source of sadness and also a motivation for us to improve. Carefully reading the errors in each essay, and gradually correcting them according to the teacher's comments helped our essays become soulful with coherent writing and clear ideas. 10th grade was truly a "revolution" for both teachers and students, we gradually matured through each essay.

“Understanding and sympathizing with the two teachers because they had to worry and concern for the young students entering grade 10, my friends and I tried very hard. When the teachers trusted and had expectations, Khanh Hien and I rose up and asserted ourselves,” Thao Chi shared.

Awakening the spirit of "warriors" from grade 11

Entering grade 11, thanks to the arousal of the desire to conquer the National Excellent Student Exam through conversations, analysis, gentle messages, and everyday concerns of the two teachers who directly taught Literature, Luong Tam and Hien Luong, Thao Chi and Khanh Hien gradually believed in their own abilities.

Nguyen Thi Thao Chi (left) and Trinh Khanh Hien always feel lucky to be companions in this year's National Excellent Student Exam. Photo: NVCC

Overcoming exams and tests with difficulty, the experienced 12th graders wanted to give up many times, but the understanding and sharing of the two teachers promptly revived the spirit of each student when they were down.

Hardworking, determined, and fierce with the desire to assert themselves, in the 11th grade, Khanh Hien won the second prize (the highest prize of the National Excellent Student Team) and Thao Chi won the third prize. This is a proud achievement for the two students to continue to strive for the next exams.

Become a "pillar" and win high prizes in the National Excellent Student Competition for Grade 12

Not satisfied with themselves, eager to continue asserting themselves, in grade 12, Thao Chi and Khanh Hien joined together to participate.National Excellent Student TeamAs second-time contestants, you are considered the "pillars" of the team.

Passionate and eager to achieve their goals, the two of you reached the finish line together with satisfactory results. Photo: NVCC

The difficulties, hardships and fatigue that only those involved can understand, are the times when the work is done with great passion but does not achieve the expected results, the second year of taking the exam, the result must be higher than the previous year. It is having to brace oneself to be "strong", it is having to be the ones with the teachers to "push" the spirit of the team members. It is having to encourage and share with the 11th graders, the team members.

For Khanh Hien, confiding in the teachers and Thao Chi to overcome weaknesses during exam preparation is the way she chose: "I had mixed feelings for a long time, but I always determined that studying and taking exams is just to burn with passion, so whenever I have problems or feel down, I always go to the teachers and Thao Chi to talk and find a positive way of thinking."

It seems that when the teachers assigned the responsibility of "pillars", Khanh Hien and Thao Chi connected the students, "ignited" the passion, and accompanied the students to overcome the difficulties and hardships in conquering the National Excellent Student Exam.

“Correcting mistakes, giving each other advice, passing around good books, reading poems and meaningful short stories to each other, and sharing the joys and sorrows of life have helped Khanh Hien and Thao Chi fulfill their responsibilities as “pillars” for the team that they have entrusted to them,” said Ms. Luong Tam.

The secret to learning literature of two students who won first and second prizes in the National Excellent Student Competition

For Thao Chi and Khanh Hien, the person who "passes the torch" is extremely important. Respecting the writing style, not imposing a template, correcting errors and promoting the ability and creativity in Literature of teachers Luong Tam and Hien Luong has helped students progress through each assignment.

Studying literature is not a way to become a “bookworm”, arranging time scientifically not only ensures health but also trains concentration skills. In addition to enriching knowledge through books and newspapers, listening to music and using social networks are ways to help us get many sources of inspiration, solve open questions, refresh our emotions, and enrich our language.

The team participated in the Literature subject of the National Excellent Student Exam for the 2020-2021 school year. Photo: NVCC

Thao Chi added: “Using notebooks to write down good essays and meaningful quotes is a way to accumulate knowledge. Practicing different types of questions within a limited time will help you solve problems faster, without being overwhelmed by the questions.”

Two years of achieving high results in the National Excellent Student Exam is the result of the two students' journey of overcoming challenges, and the wholehearted support of teachers, friends, and family.

Sharing the same belief that “When you desire something, the whole universe will conspire to help you achieve it”, you have overcome pressure and difficulties, and then both of you have reached your dream.

“On rainy, cold nights studying for the national team, the two teachers also had to work very hard, and our parents had to wait for us for up to 2 hours, memories that we will probably never forget. We study to make up for everyone’s sacrifices.”

Nguyen Thi Thao Chi - class 12C1 - Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted

Literature TeamPhan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted participatesThis year's National Excellent Student Exam had 10 students, of which 6 students from class 12C1 participated and the result was 100% passing, of which: Nguyen Thi Thao Chi won First Prize, 2 Second Prizes: Trinh Khanh Hien and Tran Thi Mai Dan; Tran Mai Khanh won Third Prize, 2 Encouragement Prizes: Vu Bao Chau and Tran Diep Anh./.