“You can always do more, as long as you dream of more. It just needs the chance that dedication gives, and the wisdom that failure offers.”
My grandfather was one of the people who encouraged me to take the Kumon Program. I always felt blessed to have opportunities to improve myself that he didn’t have when he was a student. So, when my mom decided to enroll me in Kumon, I saw it as a way to honor my grandfather’s support.
Shaping My Character and Outlook
During my first Kumon days, I remember feeling excited, but also a little frustrated when I started Kumon because they began with Math topics that I was already familiar with. I was eager to move up to more challenging levels.
However, I saw the value of repeating topics with Kumon. It has helped me develop a strong foundation in the fundamentals of Math. Even when I was pursuing a degree in Applied Maths, I can still see how Kumon’s Math Program has been beneficial for me.
Kumon did more than just improve my academic skills; it shaped my character and outlook toward life. It gave me the tools to break down big problems and make them solvable. That has informed how I see life now – I believe you’ve always got it in you to achieve things you once thought were too big for you.
But Kumon isn’t just about academic skills; it also taught me valuable life lessons, especially diligence. It taught me to stick with a problem until I had it solved.
Overcoming Difficulties with Kumon
One of the subjects that used to be challenging for me was Filipino, and the Reading Program in Kumon turned out to be helpful. The worksheets in the Reading Program taught me a systematic way to break down texts, which I found useful not just in English but in other languages too.
When I faced difficult topics in Kumon, I didn’t give up. I would work on them as soon as I got home from the Center. Leaving problems unfinished didn’t sit well with me, but the great thing about Kumon is that the difficulty progression is gradual, and I could always refer back to previous worksheets for help.
Acquiring Lessons Beyond the Classroom
The most significant lesson I learned from my Kumon journey is that big problems can always be broken down into smaller challenges. It’s a powerful idea that applies to almost everything in life.
Kumon helped me excel in English, which turned out to be a huge advantage in competitive debate. I could understand complex arguments and articulate my thoughts confidently – skills I honed through Kumon.
The problem-solving component I learned in Kumon was also very useful in coding, which is another part of my course. Reading comprehension and applying robust techniques are skills I acquired from the Reading and Math Programs in Kumon.
Learning from Failure
Kumon taught me that dedication to great things requires the ability to bounce back from failure and learn from your mistakes. I’ve experienced my share of losses in competitive debate, but I kept coming back, and in 2023, my team and I won the World Universities Debating Championship. It was the third time we made it to the grand final, and the third time was the charm.
After winning the World Universities Debating Championship, my next goals include finishing my master’s degree and working on making Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems safer. I want to do research if I can.
A Message to Kumon Students
To all my fellow Kumon students who are facing challenges and dreaming of achieving more, remember this: You can always do more as long as you dream of more. Dedication and the wisdom to learn from your mistakes are your keys to success.
Kumon has played a massive role in shaping my journey and dreams, and I hope it can do the same for you. Believe in yourself, work hard, and you’ll achieve incredible things!
