The month of November is synonymous with exams and little kids in primary school to their elder peers in high school and even the university students all have just one thing in mind……. How can I get through these exams with a report card that my parents won`t mind showing off to my uncles and aunts.

The pressure is definitely on and the time to deliver is here!
Instead of looking at it as a challenge, why not rather consider it an opportunity, AN OPPORTUNITY YOU ASK!
Yes, an opportunity to give it your best and to see how bright you can shine.

The beautiful hadith of Nabi Muhammed ﷺ contains guidance in this direction as well.
عَنْ أَبِي يَعْلَى شَدَّادِ بْنِ أَوْسٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه و سلم قَالَ: “إنَّ اللَّهَ كَتَبَ الْإِحْسَانَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ، فَإِذَا قَتَلْتُمْ فَأَحْسِنُوا الْقِتْلَةَ، وَإِذَا ذَبَحْتُمْ فَأَحْسِنُوا الذِّبْحَةَ، وَلْيُحِدَّ أَحَدُكُمْ شَفْرَتَهُ، وَلْيُرِحْ ذَبِيحَتَهُ

On the authority of Abu Ya’la Shaddad bin Aws (RA), that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
Verily Allah has prescribed ihsan (proficiency, perfection) in all things. So if you kill then kill well; and if you slaughter, then slaughter well. Let each one of you sharpen his blade and let him spare suffering to the animal he slaughters.” [Muslim]

Having the right attitude
The Hadith teaches us that in everything we do we should certainly give off our best. The Hadith does not specify that only in religious matters, should we work to our full potential, but the Hadith is rather the direct opposite and even includes the words, “in all things.” This means that in every aspect of our life and in every challenge or test that is put before us, we should embrace it with a will that I will give it my best shot while at the same time relying on Allah for His help and assistance. The example cited by Nabi ﷺ shows us that even when slaughtering an animal we should do it to the best of our ability so as not to cause any extra pain or suffering to the animal.

What then about studying for our exams, which we have spent the entire year working towards and for which our parents have spent so much in fees, tuition etc.?

Understand this! It is not ok to say and have an attitude that, “so long as I scrape a pass, I`m ok”, or “fifty percent will do it for me.”

If this is our attitude, we need to change it immediately. This attitude will certainly not allow us to progress in life, let alone in that particular exam. So no matter how difficult is the subject or much we dislike the teacher, there is nothing and no-one who can motivate us better than ourselves.

I conclude the discussion today with an interesting quote:

“Never regard study as a duty, but as the enviable opportunity to learn.” — Albert Einstein