THE GROWING YEARS: OVERCONFIDENCE

Jake had gone to a new school to start JSS 3. In his previous school, he was permanently coming second in class. His only opposition to the first position was a girl called Mary. She was very studious and would take down points when the teacher explained a note.

Jake was a bright student but lacked the interest in reading. He would return home from school, go to the field on a non-church day, stay up late watching movies and never read his notes . His only help was that he listened keenly to his teachers in class. So during exams or tests, he would write what he understood during the teacher's explanation. His teachers usually liked that about him, the fact that he doesn't give what is in his note.

So in this new school, Jake thought that it would be business as usual. His ego was fanned by two of his classmates from his former school who also moved and were his classmates in his new school. They had helped him announce to the class that he usually came 2nd in their previous school. Jake went on with his not-reading attitude, with the thought that he would 'dust' his classmates as usual. Little did he know that he was in an ocean infested with sharks, sea lions, whale, jelly fishes and many other dangerous aquatic animals. Poor Jake had  left the aquarium but didn't realize it.

The term came to an end and results were out. Guess where Jake was placed. He came twelfth in class. He had been overconfident.

Overconfidence can make an individual feel too guarded to check loose ends. It can be very dangerous to preparation, thus robbing one of opportunities. It's best to have the right amount of confidence.