Describe a time when you helped someone.

One time that really stands out is when I helped my younger cousin prepare for his high school entrance exams. He’d always been fairly bright, but to be honest, he completely lacked confidence, especially in English. The situation was quite stressful for him because his parents had high expectations and the exam was just around the corner.

When I first talked to him, he was on the verge of giving up. He kept saying there was no point in trying because he’d already fallen behind. So I decided to step in. I set up a simple study schedule for him, breaking the work into manageable chunks, and we agreed to study together every evening for two weeks. I focused mostly on his weak areas, like reading comprehension and writing, and I tried to explain things in a clear, down-to-earth way instead of using textbook jargon.

Apart from the academic side, I also spent quite a bit of time encouraging him. I shared some of my own stories about failing tests and bouncing back, just to show him that one exam doesn’t define a person’s whole life. Little by little, I could see his mindset changing; he went from being overwhelmed to at least feeling that the exam was doable.

In the end, he did much better than he’d expected and actually got into the school he wanted. I felt genuinely proud, not just of him but also of the fact that I’d made a tangible difference. It was incredibly satisfying and it made me realise that offering your time and patience can be far more valuable than simply giving advice from a distance.