The meaning of maturity
● Being a mature student does not mean being an old-timer. Maturity is not measured by the
number of years a person has lived. Instead, the yardstick of maturity is marked by the
qualities of self-denial, determination and dependability.
● Self-denial is an important quality in the mature student.
● Self-denial does not mean to deny all the things you have done, it is more like a process
of self-reflection, in which we can discover our own shortcomings and make ourselves
better by reflecting on what we have done in the past . For instance, we often face all
kinds of exams as a student. There are many students who don’t take the exams to heart
once they’ve taken them. Obviously, they don’t learn anything from the exams and they
have difficulty in making progress in their studies. Whereas, what the best students do is
to reflect on what they need to improve on in exams so that they can change their
shortcomings and do better next time. Those who do not dare to self-deny will only stay
in their comfort zone, while those who are brave enough to self-deny will break through
their limitations and become stronger. Self-denial is not to prove that you are not good
enough, but to prove that you can be better.This is not only the performance of strict self–
discipline, but also a sign of maturity.
● Determination is another characteristic of a mature student.
