I was an N-Level student who went on to Sec 5 to do O-Levels hoping for another chance to get into a polytechnic so I could study filmmaking.

My studies weren’t the best and I struggled academically, but it never occurred to me that I could do so badly that I wouldn’t be able to enter into a polytechnic.

On O-Level results day, I got my grades back. It was 28 points.

I remember receiving my results slip. When I looked at what I had in my hand, I pretended to be fine. But I was deeply disappointed with myself.

On O-Level results day, I got my grades back. It was 28 points.

After I left the school, I hung up on multiple calls from my mum because of my shame and guilt. I felt I had wasted a year – and I still couldn’t get into a polytechnic. Math was one of the key subjects I needed to pass and yet I failed it.

I didn’t tell friends and family around me about how I really did for my exams because I was so ashamed of my results and worried how people would view me because of them. 

My life’s dream had always been to study filmmaking. However, my results meant that wasn’t I able to enter the course and school I desired.

I was devastated as my dream was now out of reach, just because of the numbers and letters on my certificate.

After a week of trying to figure out where else I could go, I realised that I could still apply to an art school instead because they offered courses in film studies.  

But it wouldn’t be that easy. There were two options for me to apply to the school: an admission test or submitting a portfolio. I didn’t have a portfolio to begin with, so that was already one option down.

That left me with just the admission test, which would be hard because the test required me to draw. And I had no background in arts and videography. 

It felt like a huge gamble to me because I had already declined offers to other institutions, knowing in my heart this school would be the right fit. 

All I could do was to trust in God. He was all I had… and I knew He would be the one to carry me through.

“Congratulations, your admission is successful.”

When that notification popped up on my phone, I immediately thanked God for His grace in my life. I saw that God truly knows my every want and every need. All I need to do is to trust in Him, His timing, and His plans for me.

Seven years have passed since my O-Level results day, and I am thankful that God has paved the way for me to be able to study the course that I wanted and to be able to do the things that I enjoy doing.

Indeed, working as a video producer is a privilege that I know comes solely by God’s grace and love for me.

To those who have collected their results today, remember to give thanks to God for how He has sustained you through t his season – whatever the results may be.

Even if you didn’t do as well as you expected, know that God is still the same God. He understands you and He sees you for who you are, not the results that you can produce.

Choose to trust in Him, for His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We don’t have to worry about what the future will bring because we can trust Him!