Staying focused is key to academic success, says CSEC standout

Aug 16, 2013 News

By Abena Rockcliffe

Teakaram Singh (third from left), poses with other students of his school’s top five, Minister Priya Manickchand and other Education officials.

Even though he wrote so many Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subjects that essentially make him eligible to be accepted to do nearly any course at most Caribbean Universities, Teakaram Singh is fully cognizant of the fact that his academic journey now officially begins.
The 17-year-old has surpassed his own expectations, made his family proud, and satisfied those who imparted knowledge in him and guided him to the attainment of the results he received last Tuesday.
Singh sat 15 subjects at the most recent exam. The Queenstown, Essequibo-born teen managed to secure 14 ones and one two. Those grades allowed him to secure 12th space in Guyana’s list of the outstanding top 20 performances. Singh also brought third in his school—Anna Regina Multilateral—and was the only male in the school’s top five.
Of the 14 ones, Singh gained eight distinctions. He wrote Mathematics, English Language, English Literature, Physics, Biology, Human and Social Biology, Technical Drawing, Electricity, Agricultural Science, Physical Education, Social Studies, Principles of Business, Information Technology and Integrated Science. The teen also did Chemistry, the one subject he didn’t gain a grade one in.
He told this publication that he took lessons for Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Human and Social Biology, Technical Drawing and Electricity.
Singh said his favourite subject is Mathematics while his weakest is English Language… which he passed with a distinction.
Asked about the source of his motivation to sit 15 subjects, Singh said that he knew he had the ability and so decided to challenge himself.
The teen told Kaieteur News that he knew he would have done well, but never expected such success.
Singh said that early Tuesday morning he “got a tip” of the extent of his success but couldn’t believe it. The teen said that when he heard his results coming out of Education Minister Priya Manickchand’s mouth, “My nerves went haywire.” Singh said that he felt immediately transformed, “I became frozen and shivers travelled through my body.”
According to Singh, he managed to maintain his composure during the ceremony, receiving a bouquet of flowers for his achievements, and it was only when he went home that it all sank in.
He said he owes his success to God, his teachers, the late-night lessons, the hard studies and his very supportive parents—Danieram and Salochanie Singh—both of whom he lives with, along with his older brother, Aditya.
The elated teen said come September, he wants to start the law course at the University of Guyana. He said he would be moving to Georgetown in order to attend the tertiary institution and intends as well to further his professional career in the city.
“I will get cases back home and I will visit from time to time.” Asked where he sees himself five years from now, Singh said that he is aware that in totality, “law studies usually takes seven years so in five years I should be three-quarter way through”.
The teen said he is not yet sure if he is going to go the full mile – as in to write for his doctorate -but admitted that he “can get used to being called Dr. Singh”.
Singh reflected that he is glad that he could have brought honour to his parents who utilize all their resources for the good of himself and his brother. He said that his greatest hope in life is to be successful to help all his family and relatives.
Questioned about what he intends to give back to his school, Singh said that since fourth form, his focus was not only on CSEC, but he participated in many school activates like painting and building benabs in the school’s compound.
His recommendation to the persons who are writing the exams next year is to stay focused, which he said is most important. He also advised that they study and use every opportunity to get a better understanding of things.
Singh extended thanks to his friend Zimeena Rasheed—the top student—whom he said was his study partner. He concluded by saying that he lives by the words “never give up.”