National Merit is a huge honor presented by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), awarding academic excellence and hard work demonstrated on the PSAT. The PSAT is a standardized test given by the College Board, testing the scholars’ language, grammar, math, and math without the usage of a calculator. The minimum score for merit is 1400, 300 points above average, and it’s a respectable accomplishment to reach.
However, the journey must not be easy. With the practice tests, study binges, and stress that builds up over time, how do you manage yourself in preparation for such a big event? Timothy Bui, a Putnam City North senior, went against all odds and navigated his way through the tricky academic maze to be our only National Merit qualifier for the 2022-2023 school year, and for it, he was recently recognized.
Bui has proven his excellence with reaching the top of this hill, and he shines a light on some of the things that helped him get there “My parents had a past that they couldn’t enjoy because of historical events, but they’re always telling me ‘Hey, we’re here and helping out with all of this because we didn’t have the chance to do it, so we’re giving you the chance to do it’” Bui said.
The environment really does make an impact on you, even though it isn’t something you necessarily can always control. Even when it got hard, Bui navigated his way through the troubles and learned and gained new insights on the way there.“It isn’t all about motivation. I make it into a routine. I do a little bit each day, and over time, you’ll get used to it and it will seem like nothing. I didn’t do this back then, but I suggest doing this now. Take naps, and you wake up refreshed and you’re ready to go at it,” Bui said.
Post-merit, you can only imagine the adrenaline high someone would feel after achieving such a high score. Bui is no stranger to this, nor is he immune to it either. He admits that “[Qualifying for Merit] definitely boosted my self confidence. I remember back in 10th grade, I was always the kid that would quadruple check my AP European History homework, and all my math homework, and going into junior year that went down a lot because of all the achievements. I thought to myself, ‘Maybe I shouldn’t be worrying about myself. Maybe I actually got this’ and I did,” Bui said.
High schoolers aren’t given enough credit for the things they learn. They grow up in a society where standards and expectations are harsh, and classes and reality is harsher. However, highschoolers live a life unique to themselves that melts away when you become an adult. So from one high school student to another, Bui leaves us with three pieces of advice:
“One, plan early. One of the biggest things I regret is not planning earlier for scholarships. I could’ve done so many more scholarships, I could’ve done so many more useful
classes…learn to plan ahead. Two, don’t do something if you don’t want to do it, and if you want to do something, commit. If you don’t you’re not going to get anywhere. Third, don’t give up mid way, you have to push through. I didn’t like studying for the PSAT, I hated doing it, but I had a goal, I kept it in mind, and I just pushed through it. And if you push through it, you’ll make it eventually,” Bui said.
