Sunday, 4 May 2025I believe by now, you all have a good understanding of what the word ‘diligence’ means; but have you taken the time to reflect on what diligence truly means to you as a student, or as a person?
In these few years, because of my school responsibilities, I’ve had more chances to talk to S1 students or even P6 students. I’m always curious to find out why they want to study in Shung Tak, and what they expect themselves to be like after becoming a Shungtakian. Every year, I’ve got students saying that they think Shungtakians are very hardworking and therefore they want to be a part of this school. To this, my response is always: “Do you automatically become hardworking just by wearing this school uniform?”
Shungtakians, do you consider yourselves hardworking and diligent? And more importantly, what does diligence mean to you?
Let me share with you what I think. To be honest, diligence meant very little to me when I was a student. At that time, I thought I was smart enough and diligence was only for the ‘less intelligent’. But as I progressed on my learning journey, as I began to engage in various experiences, as I transitioned into adulthood and had to deal with a spectrum of things in life, I realized being smart might sometimes give you an easier start, but it never guarantees good results – So what does? Diligence.
In virtually all cases, diligence breeds excellence. When we approach our tasks with diligence, we refuse to settle for mediocrity. We strive for perfection and push ourselves to go the extra mile. Diligence allows us to tap into our full potential and achieve remarkable results.
Not only that, diligence also helps build our character. When we consistently put in the effort and work diligently, we develop other qualities such as discipline, perseverance, and resilience. These qualities are the building blocks of a strong character. Diligence teaches us to overcome challenges, to embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth, and to never give up. It molds us into individuals who are determined and capable of facing any obstacle that comes our way.
What’s best about diligence is that it’s not an innate ability or talent that one either possesses or lacks. Quite the contrary, it has to be developed and nurtured. So, I urge you to start thinking about how you can cultivate this essential quality that will help you soar to new heights, both in your studies and in life.
Ms Kwan HC
27 February 2024