The word "repeating” sounds like a nightmare of extreme proportion in the ears of any student. It is even more threatening when a student has not been performing well in class or has failed to balance his studies. Students know that as the year draws to an end they are expected to account for their time in school. In the past, students were not so scared of the possibility of repeating a class due to the fact that they were assured of doing supplementary exams which they eventually regarded as simple and therefore a direct ticket to promotion to another class. That was really music in the ears of those who are academically weak back then. A few years later, the "simple supplementary exams” were no more and in their place was the dreaded statement on the academic report cards that reads ‘Advised to repeat.’ Obviously those with low grades were left in panic and desperation since what they used to regard as simple supplementary exams were no more and the pass mark was increased as well thus creating a risk of repeating classes. Such kind of measures were taken mainly aiming at encouraging and provoking students to work hard in order to excel highly and also to make them consider their studies as their first priority while at school. This was clearly stressed by the school’s Director of Sstudies Mr. Theophile Habiyambere who once noted that "whoever wants to get promoted to another class must earn it by keeping his/her academic grades high and getting excellent scores in all subjects”This fear of repeating class has acted as a catalyst to students to work extra hard in order to excel and to my surprise every student is currently is determined to get the pass mark in the first two academic terms in order to literally stay away from the night mare and threat of repeating.Finally this has greatly improved student’s class grades and it is obvious that the practice has greatly favoured both students and the school as far as academic excellence is concerned. Students must remember that hard work, commitment, dedication upon your studies and having the spirit of putting in more effort will always be the foundation for success. Well that’s how it is at my school at least.The writer is a student at Kagarama Secondary School In form 6 HEG