Tuition were Tensions!

Looking back, tuition classes were one of the most stressful aspects of my teenage years. Those two hours spent sitting in front of a teacher often felt like a nightmare, especially when the fear of tests or the pressure to revise looming over me seemed insurmountable.

I distinctly remember the crippling anxiety I felt if I arrived at tuition without completing my homework. The fear of being seen as a "bad student" weighed heavily on me, so much so that I sometimes chose to skip tuition altogether. In my mind, the solution was simple: if I hadn’t done my homework, I wouldn’t go. Problem solved, or so I thought.

In those moments, avoiding the consequences felt comforting and seemed like the right choice, but in reality, it only made the problem worse. As I look back now, I realize that I missed an important lesson: accountability. Because I escaped the repercussions of my actions, I failed to learn how to confront my mistakes and take responsibility for them.

As I was too focused on being the "perfect" student, someone who never faltered, I inadvertently developed a crippling fear of imperfection.

This mindset made me believe that if I couldn’t show up flawlessly, it was better not to show up at all. The more I strove for perfection, the more I found myself stuck in a cycle of stress and anxiety. It wasn’t just academic pressure; it was a mental and emotional burden that drained me. I had set an unrealistic standard for myself, and it became clear that this pursuit of perfection wasn’t sustainable. I had forgotten the most important lesson: it’s not about being perfect, it’s about showing up, flaws and all and taking responsibilities for your actions.

Today, I realize that embracing imperfections is a crucial part of self-improvement. Growth doesn’t come from avoiding mistakes or hiding from challenges or your insecurities; it comes from acknowledging where we fall short, work on it and choosing to keep going.

By taking the first step and showing up, no matter how imperfect the situation may be, we open ourselves up to growth. That’s where real improvement starts: in the moments of reflection, acknowledgment, and the willingness to keep moving forward, even when things aren’t perfect. So, let go of the need to be flawless, and remember that showing up, even with imperfections, is what truly matters.

Overall, the motto I realized has to be…

Progress, not perfection—just keep showing up!