From year 7 to 10 I believe I was an academic person, as I was pretty much acing all the subjects I did without studying.   I soon realised I wasn’t in year 11, where my marks dropped dramatically.  I really didn’t have the motivation to study as I loss confidence in my ability.  During the summer holidays before I started Year 12, I had promised myself and my parents I would study and give it my all.  My aim was to achieve an enter of 90+, so I would get into commerce and Melbourne University.

As the year progressed quickly, the promise I made started to fade and I failed to meet my goal.  I remember that sad and demoralizing morning while checking my ENTER score, I received an enter bellow 90.  As some might know, Asians usually score 90+ and for me not to get it made it seem like the end of the world.   At that point in time, I felt like a total failure/flop, wasted my parents hard earn money on sending me to a private school.

During the first year studying IS at Melbourne University, I brought over the same mind set and I failed 3 subject during the year.  I wasn’t interested in the course I was doing so at that point it seemed I was destined for failure but I guess once you hit rock bottom your deemed to have a bounce back.  In May 2006, my life changed once and forever.  A friend of mine told me about how a 22 year guy from that States was making US$18k a month from running websites.  After 2 weeks of research, I started my internet entrepreneurial journey in developing a money making website.  Not in my greatest fantasies, would I have thought after 6 months I would be making as much as the 22 year old guy from the States.

Although I was making quite a bit of money for a 19 year old,  I failed 4 subjects during the year and embarrassingly had to see the Academic board.  But luckily I completed my course and that was history.  It is never easy trying to balance working/University and social life.  During the first 6 months of my entrepreneurial career I had totally taken my social life out of the equation but I also didn’t spend enough time on University.  I ended up selling my website and dedicating more time to my education and at that stage I thought completing university would be a form of repayment for my parents investment in me during the years.   It wasn’t till after completing my degree did I realise it was for myself, and it just shows me why our parents are the most unselfish and important people to us.  To me, my parents have been supportive in most things I do, and they give without wanting anything in return.

What I have learned is that:

1. Getting a low Enter is not the end of the world

Sure, getting a good ENTER score gives you greater opportunities but if you don’t it doesn’t mean your destined to fail.  It is just a higher hill to climb and requires more effort and dedication.  Your success is determined by how you react from these stumbling blocks.  It might mean everything in the world during that period, but life is a long journey and there will be plenty of opportunities for you.

2. Education is important

Although I suck academically, I personally find having a university degree as a foundation or a ‘safety zone’.  Now it seems having a university degree is the least employers are expecting.   Attending university also allows you to meet smart and innovative people and they will help you discover your hidden talents.

3. Believe in yourself

You have to believe you can achieve your goals in order to reach it.  If you don’t, you won’t actually have to motivation to work towards it.

4. Determining your goals

I had a very simple goal which was to earn money.  Everyone’s perception of money differs and I think it really depends on the culture.  I personally think money is important, although you can’t buy everything with money such as health, but if you have money it surely increases your chances of curing your sickness.  I don’t want work till I’m 60 just because I have  pay bills and sleep every night worrying about money matters.   Having this goal, allowed me to work towards it and I was motivated because I saw my efforts were paying off.