FollowThis semester, Sherilyn is back at it—running on sheer willpower and caffeine, pulling all-nighters in her university studio with her course mates as they scramble to complete back-to-back assignments. For the past week, she’s left home in the morning and only returned around 7am the next day, barely catching a few hours of sleep before dragging herself out of bed, grabbing a quick bite, and rushing back to campus. It breaks my heart to watch her burn herself out like this, but she’s determined and passionate about her architecture course—even though it’s utterly grueling. She still finds time, no matter how rushed she is, to brew herself a tumbler of thick matcha with oat milk or a proper drip coffee from ground beans. It’s her little ritual to stay alert. But I worry. I’ve seen her fall sick before, and I can’t help but fear that her health will take a hit again.
On the other hand, Cass is also caught in the whirlwind of stress. She’s now in the thick of her two-week Mid-Year Exam and has been waking up at 4am to study. It’s a familiar sight—books strewn across the dining table, laptop turned on, a glass of strong coffee or tea by her side, dirty plates and bowls (she’s always hungry and eating whenever she studies hard), and her serious, determined face peeking out from behind revision notes. She’s been taking Beacon chicken essence for nourishment. In the afternoons after school, she takes power naps to recharge. After spending the entire afternoon revising, she spends an hour or two exercising in the late evening. After a shower, she starts her revision again.
A few mornings ago, I woke up at 5 am to the aroma of grilled chicken filling the air in the house. She had air-fried a Beacon marinated chicken chop in the wee hours of the morning to refuel her brain power and growling tummy.
After she leaves for school, I clean up all the mess she leaves behind — unwashed plates, bowls, cutlery, several stained cups, and wipe down the air-fryer and counters.
This is our routine during the exam season.
Watching Cass now reminds me so much of myself when I was 17, burning the midnight oil while preparing for my own SPM. I, too, relied on thick coffee and early morning revisions. History is repeating itself, just in a different generation. Cass told me she plans to go skating this weekend, as a way to relieve exam stress. She’ll bring her books along to revise between practice sessions—true dedication. She’s training for the Skate Malaysia competition next month, balancing schoolwork and athletic goals all at once.
As a mother, it’s hard not to worry. But more than anything, I pray that my daughters will thrive. That they’ll be healthy, happy, and grounded despite the pressure. I hope their hard work pays off, but above all, I just want them to be well.
That’s my greatest wish as their mother.
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