Photo/Illutration Candidates sit for unified university entrance tests at the University of Tokyo in the capital’s Bunkyo Ward on Jan. 14. (The Asahi Shimbun)

The Asahi Shimbun’s “Hitotoki” column runs essays sent in by readers. One piece that left a lasting impression on me was written by a mother of a school-age son.

When the lad was a second-grader at elementary school, she recalled, his teacher showed her his blank test answer sheet. Apparently, the youngster became so engrossed by a question about the life of the cabbage butterfly, he ran out of time for all the other questions.

I found this endearing. But then, I started wondering how I would feel if this boy were mine. I would want him to be his own person, but also do reasonably well in tests. And that, I believe, must be the commonplace but ambitious wish of most parents.

Parenting entails being surprised by their children’s unexpectedly grown-up behavior at times, but also wanting to nag at them on occasion.

This morning, I imagine some people remembered such instances from the past as their sons and daughters left home to take unified university entrance exams that kicked off today.

Around 510,000 youngsters applied to take the tests this year, anxious to open the door to their future.

A poem by Yukiko Matsuda goes to the effect, “Sending my child off to the test center and watching them/ until they disappear from sight/ I can’t help crying softly.”

Unlike the Preliminary Standard University Entrance Tests and the National Center Tests for University Admissions of their parents’ generation, the tests for today’s teenagers feature lengthy questions.

I tried my hand at past exam questions the other day, and I panicked. Remembering the schoolboy who spent too much time on just one question about cabbage butterflies, I realized it was critical to pace myself if I was to avoid running out of time.

I recalled the novel “Kokugo Nyushi Mondai Hisshoho” (How to ace the university entrance test in Japanese) by Yoshinori Shimizu, who made fun of popular exam-taking know-how.

The book’s protagonist preaches: “First of all, read through the questions. Next ...”

No, I’m stopping here. Those taking the exams don’t need any unsolicited advice. They must have thoroughly prepared for the tests.

According to the forecast, the weather today will be as mild as in March or April. The spring of success is around the corner for candidates, who will be rewarded for their perseverance and hard work.

Good luck to you all.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 14

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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