Beep, beep! The alarm rang one early morning and Sara’s trembling hands reached for the phone to turn it off, sending chills down her spine. She had been up all night, practicing algebra in preparation for the exam. Though she was a diligent student who scored well in English, science and other subjects, maths had always remained a struggle for her.

“I’ve learned everything, but my mind just can’t grasp it. It’s like I’ve forgotten everything,” she cried. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she felt knots in her stomach. Her head began to ache, and her fingers gripped her hair. Just then, there was a knock on the door.

“Breakfast is ready! Come, darling,” called her mother.

Sara quickly dried her eyes and rushed to the bathroom. “Yes, mum, I’ll be there in five minutes,” she assured. She swallowed her tears, brushed her teeth, donned her uniform, tied her hair in a ponytail and trudged toward the dining room.

“Sara, bring your sandwich in the car and finish it on the way. Hurry up!” her mother said.

Sara complied, holding her sandwich but not taking any bites. All she could think was, “Why does math even exist? Why can’t we choose whether or not to study it? My percentage will drop again because of poor math scores.”

When they arrived at school, her mother scolded her for not finishing her sandwich and dropped her off. With a heavy heart and anxious mind, Sara made her way to the examination hall. The invigilator handed out the test papers.

As Sara glanced at her paper, a wave of anxiety hit her. The algebraic operations seemed to dance before her eyes. She gripped her pen and swallowed hard, realising that there wasn’t a single question she could solve. Her mind went blank, and she dropped her pen, resting her head on the table, suppressing her sobs.

Noticing her distress, the invigilator asked if she was feeling well. Sara didn’t respond, so the invigilator took her to the office and called her class teacher. Miss Mona, a kind and welcoming teacher, counselled Sara gently. Feeling comfortable with Miss Mona, Sara opened up about her aversion to math. She explained that while she tried hard to understand the problems, she struggled to keep up with the rest of the class, which made her feel slow and reluctant to engage with math.

Miss Mona advised her to attend extra math classes and practice as much as she could at home. She didn’t like math because she had found it difficult, while it was just a subject that needed a little more attention. Miss Mona emphasised that avoiding math wasn’t an option and that overcoming her weakness was essential. Understanding Miss Mona’s advice, Sara asked if she could attend extra math classes after school. Miss Mona smiled and encouraged her to always be diligent.

Sara’s parents were pleased with her willingness to improve. They supported her decision to take extra classes and advised her to stay consistent.

By the end of the year, Sara’s dedication and hard work paid off; she scored the second highest marks in math. She hugged and thanked Miss Mona for her motivation and support.

Dear readers, always remember that ignoring problems can lead to bigger issues in the future. It is far better to face our fears rather than avoid them.

Facing challenges leads to personal growth, it helps us build resilience, problem-solving skills and confidence. Therefore, be a fierce fighter and face your fears.

Published in Dawn, Young World, September 28th, 2024