Phillip Clarke, Outlook Youth Writer 
Vanessa Chung - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
EXCELLENCE IS an attitude not a destination and Vanessa Chung's life is certainly one of excellence. Born only some 18 years ago, this year's joint awardee of the Prime Minister's Youth Award for Excellence in Academics, has achieved some major milestones.
At the tender age of 14 when many teenagers are preoccupied with movies, bling bling and probably their first love, Vanessa was reading for her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Science at the Northern Caribbean University. She completed this at age 17 and is now pursuing her Masters at the University of the West Indies.
She is also a very active participant in the very prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Awards Programme which gives recognition to youth for their service at the community level; for their skills, physical fitness and enterprise.
She credits her stellar academic performance over the years to her love for studying and learning on a whole, hard work and dedication to the task at hand, which she says has been instilled in her by her mother.
"I owe everything to her," she says with enthusiasm.
LAW DEGREE
She can recall, with little effort, studying alongside her mother Patrice Chung who is currently pursuing a law degree.
When asked about her approach to studying, she was quick to point out that they were much like anybody else's, but she agreed that she would let others be the judge of that. She advises students that once information is passed on to them from a teacher, they should always endeavour to read it through thoroughly. Highlight the main points of what is being said. Rewrite the main points on a card or piece of paper from which one should constantly revise. If the material can be put into diagram form, they should always endeavour to do so as it tends to be the most effective method of studying and remembering information.
STUDY METHOD
She is further advising students to rewrite their notes until it is possible to rewrite them from memory, as it is at this point that they will know that they know it for sure.
Vanessa's next move, on completing her current master's studies, is into the medical field. She will pursue studies in medicine here or at one of those international institutions. It doesn't matter which one as entering the medical profession has been a life-long dream of hers. She can fondly remember playing doctor with her dolls and teddy bears at a very tender age.
Apart from her academic pursuits, young but mature Vanessa coordinates a literacy programme for young children and has played lawn tennis for Jamaica as she believes everyone should have a balance.
