One day, twenty four hours, and one thousand and four hundred forty minutes.

No matter our
age, gender, or predisposition, we are given the same important finite resource: time. 
After the final exam of junior year, my school organized a trip to visit children with cancer. It was
a trip that helped me realize that there are different ways to think about and appreciate the time
that we have on Earth. Going to school and studying can feel like a chore at times, but for these
children, it was a dream. They drew, sang, danced, and shared their wishes to be firemen,
doctors, and teachers. Despite their daily chemotherapy, they joyfully practiced to perform for
us. Their cheerful optimism made me ask myself why I always waited until the last minute to do
things—the inveterate procrastinator. Others lived each day as if it were their last, savoring
every precious moment. 

I wanted to be like that, too. I promised the children that I would make handcrafted rockets,
planes, and cars for them. I heard a little voice murmur, “Please bring them the next time we
see you.”

The toys were not easy to make. The materials, wires, and batteries were hard to find, and
assembling them was even more challenging. I nearly gave up, but I was determined to keep
my promise. I researched from how other craftsmans make do with their materials on Youtube.
And I made a plan. 

A few weeks later, I went back to the orphanage with toys in hand. The children ran to me,
eager to play with their new toys. I noticed that the boy who said goodbye to me the last time I
came was not there. I asked the caretaker where he was and received the response that his
condition had worsened. He was transferred away. I could not believe my ears and had to take
a deep breath to bring me back. Right at that moment, I remembered the words he told me
before we parted. The realization that I had been taking time for granted my whole life and there
were many whose time is extremely limited hit me like a truck.

On the way home, I couldn’t stop thinking about the time. Time is an invaluable asset and I
despised the old me who always wasted time and took one extra hour before starting
something. I was determined to never let that Minh make decision for me ever again. 

I started with my study habits. I begin to review lessons and complete my assignments right
after getting home from school. I look over the materials and prepare for the next day’s classes.
At the end of the first semester, my grades showed that my hard-work had paid off.

My new mindset extends beyond the classroom and into my life and relationships. feel a lot less
tense compared to before, because I know that I won’t need to work frantically the day that
something is due. My friends and family started to rely on me because they know that I will be
responsible. This year, I was in charge of recruiting members and writing the script for the play
at VNU-HCM High School’s opening ceremony. In the past, I know that I would have
procrastinated and completed the tasks hurriedly right before the deadline. Now, I was able to
finish all the work before the rehearsal day. The teachers were very satisfied with the play that I
developed. 

The Minh from before was a procrastinator and always took one extra hour before starting
something. Going to the orphanage and meeting that boy changed my point of view about
valuing time. By making the most of the time that I am given, I prepare myself to face new
opportunities and challenges in college and beyond.