One day last month, our class director announced that we would participate in a grand ceremony marking the 200-day countdown to the final exam. One part of the ceremony was for classes to challenge each other. Every two classes of our grade should pair up. One of them would play the role of a challenger; the other a challengee.

It was arranged that our class was to take on Class 11. We would need one student to lead the challenge. We would shout slogans in chorus to show our determination to beat them in the exam. When our class director asked who would do the job, all my classmates yelled out my name. And the teacher decided on me on the spot. I was as excited as nervous. The excitement was that I would face up to a large audience for the first time. There would be students, teachers and parents attending the ceremony. The nervousness was that I had never done such a thing before.

The big day arrived before I knew it. Mother came to the school for the occasion after lunch. I did not take a nap. I took the time to practise my speech. I did not want to make a fool of myself at the ceremony. When I was rehearsing the lines, my nervousness outweighed my excitement.

When the challenging part kicked off, I was waiting in the right wing of the stage. Seeing other classes doing so well, I had no idea whether I could outshine them. When it was my turn, I went up and took the mike from the host. Strangely enough all my jitters evaporated. I started to lead my class, yelling out our resolutions at the top of my lungs. I realised that I was trembling all over. Power was surging inside. When we were done, we got a standing ovation and the applause lasted a long time. My classmates lavished praise on me. Mother came over and gave me a peck on the cheek.

There is a first time for everything. Not until you confront it and tackle it will you realise that your fears about it are false. If you try, chances are that there will be no obstacles that cannot be surmounted. Let go of your fears.