For many young Ghanaians, the past few months have brought a mixture of anxiety, expectation and excitement. The release of the 2026 BECE results in July opened the way for successful candidates to move into Senior High School, while the WASSCE results have also marked an important step for those looking forward to tertiary education. For some, this means entering SHS for the first time. For others, it means stepping into tertiary education. After years of waiting, studying and praying for that opportunity, receiving an admission letter can feel like a major achievement. It is indeed something to celebrate. But admission is not the end of the journey; it is the beginning of another one.
One mistake some students make is to relax immediately after gaining admission. The excitement of entering the next level can sometimes create the feeling that there is plenty of time. Classes are missed, assignments are postponed and difficult topics are left unattended. Before long, examinations arrive and catching up becomes difficult. The Bible says, “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness” (Proverbs 21:5). Diligence must therefore begin from the beginning. Colossians 3:23 also reminds us, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord.” As Christians, our academic work should be approached with seriousness and excellence.
This matters at every level. In tertiary education, your performance from the beginning contributes to the academic record you build over time. In SHS, the habits you develop from your first year can influence how prepared you become for the WASSCE. Those years pass faster than most students expect. A poor beginning does not mean you cannot recover, but recovery may require much more effort. I experienced this personally. My admission letter came late, and I was also hospitalised for a week. By the time I joined my colleagues, the first semester was already underway, and my initial GPA was not what I wanted. By the grace of God, I worked hard, made the library my best friend and gradually improved. Eventually, I became one of the better-performing students.
Looking back, I believe that if I had started under normal circumstances, I might not have had to struggle so much to catch up. That experience taught me something: God can help us recover from a difficult beginning, but it is wiser to make good use of an opportunity from the start. To the student entering SHS or tertiary education: start studying early. Attend your classes. Ask questions. Read consistently. Manage your time. Choose friends who will support your purpose. Do not wait until examinations are near before becoming serious.
Starting well is important, but starting well must be followed by consistency. “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). Your parents, family, church and community are proud when they see you make good use of your opportunity. More importantly, you are preparing yourself for the opportunities that lie ahead.
Start right. Stay consistent. And by the grace of God, finish well.
Eld. Blessing Asimah
Abetifi District (Kwahu Area)
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