Complacency

Yet another disappointing episode of my SAT endeavour this weekend.

Both Sam and Jason found their respective excuses to miss class. Sam had to forgo the lesson on account of a schedule clash with another tuition session and Jason had apparently come down with a cold. Fortunately Dee came in as arranged, to my surprise, I must add. My hunch was he would not show up but I was happy to be wrong there. Otherwise, all the preparations for this week’s lesson would have been for nothing. So the show was able to go on. And we actually went on to have a rather good session.

Second month into my second chapter here in Penang, it is beginning to dawn on me the kind of regard SAT enjoys, or doesn’t enjoy, in this part. What I had carried with me on the way back must have been some seriously misplaced expectations. The fact is SAT is so, so under-understood. As painfully clear as it has become, I continue to struggle in coming to terms with that. How can something so crucial be allowed to be treated so frivolously here, even by those who are right smacked within the circles?

Whatever the reason, it’s the children who get short-changed ultimately – heartbreaking indeed!

• Fact – SAT is required by almost all US colleges and universities, especially top ones.
• Fact – SAT is required even for those from US high schools.
• Fact – SAT demands extensive preparation, and all serious college applicants have that.
• Fact – SAT scores are a key criterion in college admission.

These are just some aspects of SAT which folks here are so complacent, or ignorant about. I know they’ll come to realize in time but by then, it would be too late, too pressed for sure. How do I get them to listen now?