- Lam See-sun, a Form Six student at St Stephen’s College, had trouble in her studies due to her learning disabilities
- She attributes her interest in long-distance running as a key factor in helping her elevate her educational capabilities
Lee See-sun was named the Best Improvement winner at the Student of the Year (SOTY) Awards. Photo: Handout Lam See-sun, a Form Six student at St Stephen’s College, has faced numerous difficulties throughout her academic journey due to her learning disabilities.
The 17-year-old remembered how her mother spent three hours teaching her the four cardinal directions – north, south, east, and west – crying when See-sun failed to grasp the knowledge.
“I had a severe learning and writing disability, to the extent that even my younger brother, who is five years my junior, could teach me things.”
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“I used to be less aware of my learning difficulties when I was younger, but as I progressed, the gap between me and my peers became more apparent. Others could finish tasks that might take me two hours to complete in half an hour,” she said, adding that she often struggled to focus in class.
Despite these challenges, she maintains a positive attitude towards her education and has made significant progress in her studies, crediting her passion for long-distance running as one reason for her success.
The balance between sports and academics proved to be a turning point for See-sun, helping her sharpen her concentration and elevate her academic ranking within her class.
“Engaging in sports helped me sharpen my focus, and finding this balance was crucial.”
With this new-found balance, her academic performance improved, moving her from the bottom of her class to ranking within the top 50 students.
See-sun’s dedication was recognised when she was named the Best Improvement winner at the 2023 Student of the Year (SOTY) Awards. The awards are organised by the South China Morning Post and solely sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
The judges were particularly impressed by her ability to overcome the challenges posed by her learning disabilities, praising her for her progress and positive approach to learning.
See-sun thanked her family for their support: “My family has been incredibly supportive ... I could write a letter to express how grateful I am to [my mother]. She would be very happy.”
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Overcoming these challenges has helped See-sun develop a resilient mindset. She shared, “I’ve learned to approach every task with the mindset that if I’ve genuinely done my best, I will not regret the outcome. It’s about reflecting on what I could improve and not dwelling on my limitations.”
“I’ve always been passionate about sports, and I knew that as long as we stayed united, we would achieve good results despite not having a strong track record. It’s about the spirit of unity and not losing heart. Our house believed in the mantra, ‘Do not mind losing, but mind losing the spirit.’
While not all teachers fully understand the challenges faced by students with special educational needs (SEN), See-sun emphasised the importance of the support she received from teachers who recognised her difficulties and provided help.
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“While some teachers may not fully comprehend these issues or view them as excuses, I believe it’s essential not to dwell on their lack of understanding. Instead, I focus on appreciating those who have gone the extra mile to support me. In my school, our social worker has played a pivotal role in understanding my journey, providing emotional support, and guiding me through the ups and downs.”
See-sun plans to study global health and development at the University of Hong Kong. She has a strong desire to pursue a career related to health.
“My contribution may not necessarily be limited to being a speaker for SEN [students], but I hope to work on health-related projects.”