Something I suddenly remembered during 'the summer of the examinee'

The height of summer🌻🌻

I received the usual message from a friend who enjoys having lunch together every long weekend.

However, this time the message was,
This summer, my daughter's cram school schedule is packed,
so we can't meet up.
I was looking forward to it, too.
Plus, she's not studying at all, I'm so angry!!

Ah, that feeling.
I thought it was nostalgic.
About 10 years ago, I was just as
frustrated during my son's exam period.

The contradiction of telling my child to "do it" when I didn't study that much myself.
That unique anxiety you only learn about once you become a parent.

But I have a slightly different way of thinking now.
I think studying is
"a skill to make it easier for your future self to choose the path they want to take."

When you find what you want to do,
it's a waste to be unable to choose it because of exams or requirements.
So, you prepare for your future self.

Those who have something they want to do, do it for that.
Those who haven't found what they want to do yet, do it for when they do find it.

The process of that preparation is studying and taking exams.
Back then, I couldn't say those words to my son.

It might be meddlesome.
But I couldn't help but share it.

I had my friend pass it on to her daughter.
Then, she replied, "I love you~. I'll do my best🥰".

She was so cute that I wanted to go see her right away and give her a hug.

Next time we meet, let's have a lunch party
to celebrate all your hard work with your daughter too.

Looking back on the past,
there was a time when things didn't go as planned for my son either.

At that time, we were both down and at a loss, but
he chose a different path, and now he has a job and a family,
and is living his own life peacefully.

I couldn't see it back then, but
I can think now that
there isn't just one path in life.

Exams are important.
If possible, I want them to aim for success.
But even if things don't go as planned,
there is definitely a path that continues beyond that.

May this be a season where examinees
can move forward, even if just a little.

And may those watching over the examinees
also be able to stay calm and kind, even if just a little.