The build-up towards the end of each term never ceases to amaze me. A period of panic, chaos and sleeplessness typically ensues after recess week. The semester is usually defined within these couple weeks – when the reality of project and term paper deadlines finally set in. Students suddenly find themselves in desperation, not in being unable to complete their assignments, but culminating all their hard work in a 15-minute presentation or 3,000-word report.

Putting together a bunch of pictures and text into a slideshow or compiling 5 separate reports into one is easy; designing a well-organized presentation or a flowing prose takes time and effort. Often, we hear stories of students spending long days and sleepless nights, cooped up in the library or some corner in school, working on their assignments in a tireless pursuit of a masterpiece. It’s unhealthy but it’s reality. An excellent piece of work just doesn’t fall into place out of the blue; it takes effort.

There is truth in the Chinese adage that if one takes the effort, even a metal rod can be shaped into a needle. The fact is everyone has the ability to turn rough stones into diamonds, but why people perform so differently lies in the amount of effort that each directs into polishing these rocks into precious stones. It’s whether we want to tap into that ability and realize our own potential. With a little hard work, we can all make masterpieces, or at least ones that are worthy.