Nothing in life comes easy. Before a child learns how to walk, they must fall countless times. To enjoy a meal at your dining table in the evening, you must have worked tirelessly throughout the day. Even seemingly simple tasks, like riding a bicycle, driving a car, or drinking a glass of water, require effort. To drink water, you have to get up, find a glass, serve yourself, and lift it to your mouth. Nothing is truly effortless.
If such basic activities are not simple, then the pursuit of knowledge is even more challenging. In fact, it can be far more demanding than all these tasks combined.
The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle once said, “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” He believed that education plays a key role in shaping individuals and improving society. According to him, education should instill good character, like honesty, courage, and humility, as well as practical skills. This, in turn, helps people lead meaningful lives and contribute to their communities.
Students often spend more time thinking about school than being at school physically. It’s not just about attending classes, it’s about carrying the school mindset everywhere. Between assignments, projects, and extracurricular responsibilities, students frequently bring school home. If they’re not working on one task, they’re already worried about the next. If it’s not individual work, it’s a group assignment. And even when reading for personal development, it often comes from a lecturer’s strong recommendation.
And then come the dreaded exams
Examination periods are some of the most stressful times for students, whether in primary, secondary, or university. If you’re usually tired from your daily school routine, running around for photocopies, racing deadlines, or submitting psychology assignments before midnight, exam time takes that stress to another level.
That’s when everyone’s eyes turn red, their heads feel heavy, and fatigue sets in. Some feel front-facing headaches, while others experience neck or shoulder pain. And it’s only the second day of exams, with three more to go. That means three more sleepless nights, three more stressful days of guessing what the next paper might hold.
Students have been in this cycle since the first day their parents dropped them off at school.
Aristotle was right: The roots of education are bitter. But he also reminded us that excellence is not an act, but a habit. Success doesn’t happen by accident; it comes through consistent effort, discipline, and resilience.
So, as students, let’s embrace the bitter roots, knowing that the fruit ahead is sweet and rewarding.
