Last Thursday, a surprise exam was forced upon us. We were to complete, in a single day, all the four tests — Chinese, Maths, English and Integrated Science. We had been kept completely in the dark about it until the very last minute.

Many classmates felt resentful, not only at taking the exam at such short notice but also at the four tests being squeezed into one day. As a veteran (I am repeating the last year of high school), by contrast, I was acclimatised to such a surprise as our dear teachers had in store for us.

This term, I am paired up with Peter by our class director in a mentor-mentee partnership. I am the mentor; Peter my mentee. We are supposed to help each other. Since I am an old dog, I am expected to offer tips and tricks to my apprentice on studies and life.

When word came that a surprise exam was in place, Peter intended to cheat. He complained to me that he would be too exhausted to do all the four tests in such a short span, which are normally scheduled for 2 days. In addition, it was no secret that many other schools had already been through with the tests. Therefore, it would be a breeze to gain access to the answers online. “The exam is not that vital,” Peter added. “Many schoolmates have got the keys anyway.”

Hearing Peter’s whine, I got furious. I criticised him relentlessly for a while. I told him that we should cherish each exam as an opportunity to learn and improve rather than treat it mindlessly. I asked Peter to be honest and consistent throughout the exam. Hopefully, his integrity would not be compromised by external forces.

Having listened to my instructions, Peter nodded repeatedly, promising that he would not misbehave himself in the tests.

After the results were out, as usual, some students were smug while others were worried. Strangely enough, this time those who got nervous included a couple of classmates who had made it to the very top of the league table. They felt uneasy for lack of a clear conscience. Even though neither Peter nor I had earned grades worth boasting about, we learned a lot from the tests. The surprise exam helped us to see the importance of staying true to our hearts as well as where we were weak in our lessons.

Sometimes, following the herd is the default option. Other times, we should listen to our own heart and go off the beaten track. Do not feel pressured to do something that you are sure you will regret later on, although it is being pursued by many around you.