Swotting and Getting Ahead

I penned this while studying at UCT (more than 30 years ago).

In order to get ahead in life,

To be able to support a family and a wife,

One should get a good education

And become a valuable asset to one’s nation.

This should secure one a decent post,

Possibly one better than most.

The problem is to get that diploma, certificate or degree.

This is not done without some difficulty.

It takes many an hour of sweat and swot,

And in between…. all students know what!

After all, it’s not possible to study continuously,

Without an hour of rest, if not two or three.

One has to develop a lot of willpower,

And in the face of a seemingly impossible task, not to cower.

One must find some sort of remedy

To smother the thought that knowledge is an enemy.

The key to handling all that tension and frustration

Is to keep one’s goal in mind, and therein find motivation.

At the end of the tunnel there is a bright light,

And once one’s studies are completed, therein one can delight.

Although it may seem a waste of time, it does pay to swot.

It broadens one’s horizons a heck of a lot.

It can provide one with a key to the door –

The door to the world of much, much more.

So just get your act together and tackle that file.

It may seem like forever, but it’s really only a while.

And when it’s completed, one really can smile

And with happiness and ease, tackle life’s mile.