Passed the University of Tokyo Instead of Her Son Who Failed Twice
Cites the "Schedule Notebook" as the Key to Success
Mayumi Yasumasa (63), who became a topic of conversation for entering the University of Tokyo on behalf of her son. Yasumasa SNS
In Japan, where university entrance exams have begun, a story is being revisited about a mother who, at the age of 50, passed the entrance exam for the University of Tokyo, Japan's most prestigious university, on behalf of her son.
On the 4th, the Sankei Shimbun covered the story of Yasumasa Mayumi (63), who raised two sons while running a cram school, and who passed the University of Tokyo entrance exam in the spring of 2012 at the age of 50.
According to the newspaper, Yasumasa attempted to enter the University of Tokyo twice during her teenage years but failed and subsequently enrolled at Waseda University. After getting married and having two sons, she became a full-time housewife. Around the time her younger son graduated from elementary school, she utilized her experience as a cram school instructor to run a tutoring academy for middle school students.
As time passed, her younger son became a test candidate aiming for the University of Tokyo but failed and had to retake the exam. At that time, Yasumasa recalled her past and thought, "I want to try again at the University of Tokyo, which I had given up on at least once." Thus, Yasumasa began studying for the University of Tokyo's humanities department, while her son aimed for the science department.
Even during the exam preparation period, Yasumasa continued running her cram school. Unable to find much time due to cram school work and household chores, she studied during spare moments. In doing so, she achieved an excellent score of 40th nationwide on her first mock exam.
"The 'Schedule Notebook' Was the Most Helpful... The Key Is Not to Plan Too Meticulously"
Yasumasa revealed that the 'schedule notebook' was the most helpful tool in her exam preparation. She first set long-term goals in three-month increments at the beginning of the year, then created detailed weekly study plans. The key was not to plan too meticulously. She allowed flexibility for schedule adjustments and prioritized tasks accordingly. Yasumasa said, "I never thought about quitting after I started studying," and added, "The great motivation was the prospect of learning directly from excellent teachers if I got into the University of Tokyo."
About a year later, the University of Tokyo's results announcement day arrived. Her younger son had already been accepted to Waseda University. The acceptance letter handed by the postman bore Yasumasa's name as the recipient. There was no acceptance letter for her son. At that time, Yasumasa said that rather than feeling a sense of accomplishment, her first thought was, "My son didn't make it."
After enrolling at the University of Tokyo, Yasumasa also went to study abroad in France during her studies. Based on her experience, she published a book titled "The Study Method That Made an Ordinary Housewife Like Me Pass the University of Tokyo at 50." Currently, Yasumasa is running the cram school she had paused during her studies and teaching students. To examinees facing entrance exams, Yasumasa advises, "If you challenge something and succeed, it's a plus, but even if you fail, it doesn't become a minus. You don't lose anything," and encourages them to "use the strength based on what you have done so far."
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