By Lakhram Bhagirat
In order to achieve great things, we have to make immense sacrifices and sometimes those sacrifices would see us losing out on precious moments. In the end, we always ask the question “was it all worth it?” and sometimes the answer surprises us.
For 11-year-old Stefani Rafeek, the sacrifices made at an early age were totally worth it. For many children Stefani’s age, their regular day includes lots of leisure time and not so many hours of school and studying. However, Stefani knew she wanted to sacrifice that time in order to succeed.
The Success Elementary School student achieved the fifth highest mark at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and a place at Queen’s College. The road to QC was one paved with immense struggles and sacrifices for the aspiring business consultant. The hurdles were far too many and at times she wanted to just throw in the towel, but defeat is something she cannot live with.
Armed with a dream to emulate her parents, Stefani’s regular day would begin about 04:00h. She would be required to arrive at school for 07:00h so when she woke up at 04:00h, it gave her a two-hour study period and then it was preparation for school.
The pressure was intense, but Stefani said that although she felt exhausted, she knew it was for the best and that the results would be worth it.
“My time at Success (Elementary School) was wonderful. I was not always on top of the class, but my teachers and the students there have always been nice. I would give the school a 9 out of 10, because they put a lot of pressure on me, but I knew it was for the best. They (the school’s administration) always wanted you in your 90s and it was quite exhausting. I feel great that I have completed that aspect of my life,” she said.
Throughout her primary school life, Stefani’s parents and brother stood by her side cheering her on and for her, that is what drove her to keep pushing. She knew that the sacrifices they made to ensure that she was given every opportunity were unimaginable; therefore, her performing to the best of her ability would be the ultimate reward. So when she had to go to school seven days per week and spend endless hours studying, it did not really affect her because attending QC was a lifelong dream.
For her, QC is the dream school because it is considered to be the best in the country.
“I feel relieved (that I got QC). I look forward to going to QC, because I always wanted to go there because it is one of the best schools in the country. Our teacher Miss Africo (Selman) has started preparing our class (for secondary school). She would tell us what to expect and give us topics about what she did and tell us about her experience. I know it will be very hard especially for first formers.
It was overwhelming (preparing for NGSA). I felt like giving up sometimes, but I know it would have been worth it, that is why I pushed forward,” Stefani explained.
Stefani was in school when she found out that she had achieved the fifth highest score in the country, and was rendered speechless. The first call went to her parents, who were overjoyed because they had already known about her performance.
“My parents are proud of me and I am happy. I can’t wait to go to QC and make new friends. I know it would be hard to adjust, but I am ready.”
Stefani is grateful for her family who supported her and her teachers who pushed her to realise what laid within her. She is now on the path to achieving great things and has expert advice for those who would have missed their dream schools by a few marks.
“Don’t give up, because it is always worth it in the end.”
Now that the hard part is over, Stefani is looking forward to a new collection of Stephen King books as her reward, but while that is arriving, she is rocking back and enjoying the sweet sounds of Billie Eilish.
