Money? Academic results? Well, four of us came to the same university 3.5 years ago, it was really tough as we have to study in reverse every year (meaning that we have to go through second semester before first semester). Life is even tougher with the allowance we got. Since then, I have made my decision to work part time while study to have a better life and not suffering due to lack of money. I knew it would be hard, no matter how hard it is, no matter how many sleepless nights I have (I lost count of them actually), no matter how tired I am, no matter how sleepy I am, I still keep going as I always remember that “What doesn’t kill you make you stronger”. It has been a very long journey to me. I suffer depression, abuse and pressure from my workplace but still I have to study, do my assignments, attend classes and tutorials, just trying to be professional as a student.

Today three of my friends will be graduating with first class honours while the best I can achieve is second class first division. I know I could have done better if I allocate my working time for my study but I have done my very best to balance between work and study. I do regret of choosing money over academic results in the first place as I know I would have gotten a better result without working. Nevertheless, I am glad that I did because I can buy things I like, I can make someone happy by buying him/her present, I can buy electrical appliances to my family, I can give money to my parents, I can go for movie every week, if not once in fortnight, I can afford to ear out, I can go travelling around, I can go to concert, I can have a better holiday at home, I can have good savings for my future and lots more. So if I chose academic results in the first place, I wouldn’t have got all these! As we know, everything has its own pros and cons, just that which one outweighs another. So the question is, do I regret? Yes, sometimes.

In the end, does academic results really important? It seems like now as it is a passport to secure an interview or even a job but it is not a guarantee for a successful career. So does it make money important as well? Not really. If you have money, you can’t buy the academic results but you can use it for your future such as investment, savings and etc. After all, I am extremely sad today, I am demotivated and I wish I could have done better. Although I still have a semester left with 2 unit of studies to go, it is totally impossible now to achieve first class. I accept it and I am down to earth now. So close yet so far. Full stop.