While I was growing up, my mom always said to me, “the key to success is not the intellect but rather your time management and discipline.” Admittedly, I never really took that quote to heart, until my own list of responsibilities started to grow. Yet I avoided them by going on social media as an escape. Looking at it I slowly started to realize that I wasn’t the only one facing this very problem.

Jenny Avom, a student of Pakistan Embassy College Beijing (PEK) used to score straight A’s in all her subjects but she admits “I started getting distracted a lot and over time getting  A’s became a chore. I had a problem devoting time to all my subjects, but eventually I started managing everything accordingly”. 

Another student, Baris Celik, who attends Beijing No. 55 High School International Students Section says that “I have a schedule for my activities. For example, I  study for 1 hour and then I look at my phone for 15 minutes”. Although we are tempted to stray of off the path, these students teach us that making a time table or keeping track with what we do is important. Hania Anasari, another student at PEK tells jingkids how she manages her time. “Due to the limited hours of work each day and the immense amount of work I sometimes have to get done, I have to learn to set time tables for my days ahead. While making these time tables I reflect on how much time I usually take to finish one task and ask myself if I can, by any chance, cut back on this time. Giving adequate time to each task and plenty of refreshing breaks in the middle certainly  helps manage my time better.”

There’s no such thing as perfection. It’s only human nature to get distracted and wander off the path, but what matters is that we take action to do better and be better. 

Focus applies to everything in our lives and it’s up to us how we manage it. The best way to get work done, even when you do not feel like focusing, is by just by starting. As strange as it sounds, just taking the first step and staying consistent will help you get you in the zone.  

An interesting quote from my Economics teacher Syed Moazzam Ali says that “a fighter is someone who never loses focus and always tries to stay on track”. Simply changing your mindset can bring you one step closer to achieving your goals. 

Images: Pexels

This article appeared in the jingkids 2022 Teen Takeover issue

Food is an interesting thing. It’s the quickest way to get to know a different culture and no matter where you’re from, you can always find similarities when it comes to food from different cultures.

Last week we took a look at the similarities between Chinese and Korean cuisine, and this week, we’re taking a look at the food similarities between Chinese and Cameroonian cuisine.

Although they are far in distance, the similarities are close by heart.

At the top of our list, we have meat pie and dumplings (饺子 jiaozi). In comparison to dumplings, which are especially popular during Chinese New Year, meat pies are less of a traditional dish. The key ingredients in making these dishes are quite similar, even though the making process is a bit different. For example, they both include need dough and can be enjoyed fried.

Next on our list, we have one of the most famous dishes, not only in Cameroon but also in most parts of Africa –– Jellof rice. Similarly, we have Yangzhou Fried Rice in China, which is easy to make and usually consumed for breakfast. Unlike other dishes, these two sides are more similar than different because both of their base ingredients are rice mixed with various vegetables. One of the differences is that Cameroonians enjoy it with meat, but in China, the preference is adding seafood like shrimp.

Last but not least, we have lamb kebab (羊肉串 yangrouchuan’r) and Soya. Soya is the local term, but the French name is Le brochettes. A similarity is that both can be heavily spiced, and Cameroonians and Chinese people all really enjoy them spicy. Lamb kebab is often cooked on coal and a variety of meat can be added, such as mutton, beef, pork, or chicken, and this is also the same for soya. Furthermore, lamb kebab can be found in both restaurants and street food stalls, whereas soya is not normally found in restaurants.

Despite the cultural variations in some cuisines, you might find more similarities than differences –– you just have to pay attention.

Images: Pexels

With nothing but commitment and determination, Aissatou Avom decided to become a self-taught tailor at the age of 20. Despite the overload of work, she took things into her own hands and thrived even when all odds were against her.

Her successful journey started with nothing but sewing magazines to guide her.

With basic knowledge passed down from her mom, Avom wasted no time becoming the tailor she is today. She started off with making clothes for herself, but then it quickly piqued the interest of those around her, as they saw how beautiful her designs are. She slowly progressed as she opened her own shop back in Cameroon and gave online classes. Although she was juggling two jobs at once, she was dedicated to her passion.

Even under pressure, Avom did not wither. Instead, she persisted and continued to learn. As she always says, “learning doesn’t stop at school because learning is a lifelong journey”. And with these inspiring words, she continuously takes them by heart and implements them into her daily life by always trying to enhance her intellect.

Although she doesn’t sew here as much as she used to back in her home country, she is always happy to sew at her friends’ requests, and the results always leave them rejoicing at her masterpieces. Most of these pieces primarily include African-style clothing, and her nightgowns are nothing short of amazing

Not only does she train others, but she also inspires those around her on the importance of learning new skills.

Below is a picture of Alex Lemos, a student of Pakistani Embassy College Beijing (PECB), posing in an exquisite pink dress styled with African designs made by none other than Avom. Fabulous is the only word I can use to describe this picture.

Patience, commitment and dedication are needed in learning any skill. Although it may seem difficult at first, it is truly beneficial and rewarding, because not only does the new skill fill you with pride, but it may also save you money and time!

Whether it’s learning how to sew or getting a custom designed piece for your own closet, Aissatou Avom is happy to hear from you. To get in touch, scan the QR code below.

Images: Alex Lemos, Aissatou Avom