Competition among one another is everywhere. From competing in competitions like swimming to students competing with each other on their results. From competing for a higher position in a company to competing on how much money each has.

Competition can both be a good thing and a bad thing. Too much of anything is harmful to us. This also applies to competition. Having competition among one another is good and helpful in its own way. However, having too much can result in dire consequences.

Students compete with each other over their examination results. This pushes each student to strive hard and try to overcome other students, and get better results. This is a win-win situation. However, if the student takes the competition too seriously, it may result in the student putting too much pressure on himself. Thus, if he did not get the desired result, he will just break down, as his expectations are just too high to meet. Too much competition can also result in the breaking of many friendships. What may seem as just a harmless rivalry, might cause Student A to hate Student B if A did not score as well as B and A will from then on bear a grudge on B and will do anything to get back at him, resulting in a vicious cycle. Furthermore, it is not very good for him to experience this at such a young age, which will affect his future relationships with others greatly. Moreover, parents also pressurize their children by comparing their children result with others. “ Why didn’t you beat Terry in this test? You will be grounded until you win him.”

In companies, employees compete with each other fiercely, much more than that of the students. They will resort to despicable means to reach their goals, even if it means backstabbing their best friend. Their goal is to be the manager and the CEO to earn money and more money. Is the money worth it to betray your friend? Some people might say yes as they feel that it is a cruel world out there. It is the survival of the fittest. They will grab any opportunity that is given to them.

Next Tuesday will be the Waterpolo finals against ACSI. Although we can't underestimate our opponent, neither can we feel inferior to them. We must have the right mindset, the mindset to fight and to win. We must have the right attitude, the attitude of not giving up. The competitiveness here is different. It is not too much nor too little and it is just right for us to excel to the best of our ability. Although most people feel that ACSI has a higher percentage of winning, I feel that it is our mental that makes up for it. Although ACSI maybe physically fitter that HCI, it is the Hwa Chong spirit that burns within us spurring us on. We will definitely put on a spectacular show to all the teacher and students that will be cheering us on Tuesday.

This is life. This is society. Competitiveness is good but not too much. I hereby suggest all parents to not stressed up your children too much let them enjoy life while they can as it will be difficult to enjoy life once they are all grown up.

I feel that the Life cycle of a human is like this:

You are born to this wonderful world.

You get to spend the first few years playing and enjoying.

Just when everything seems so peaceful, things start to turn ugly. You have to go to school. No fun and games anymore.

Work your ass off as a student. Suffer hardship and faced many obstacles but still managed to hang on and not give up.

Work your ass off again but now as an adult. Try to earn as much money as possible.

Retirement comes first then illness. Spend the next half of life suffering from illness, spending the money that you have earned.

Wait for death to come knocking.

What a wonderful life this is and I sure hope this will not happen to me.