Balancing leadership, creativity, and competitive edge with impressive ease, Cecilia Ma brings an unstoppable energy to everything she touches, from crushing her academics, to leading student initiatives, or performing under the spotlight. She got it all, but behind every success is a story of hard work, quiet struggles, and purpose. Here’s how she does it all, and what goes on behind the scenes.
By the end of high school, people expect you to have a story. Some neat narrative where it all makes sense — every club, every leadership role, every win. But when I think about my time at Macleans, I think of hundreds of ‘drink me’ potions and ‘eat me’ cakes inviting me to step into something new.
I didn’t start high school wanting to do everything. I just wanted to find something. But somehow, I found everything: fencing, debating, choir, case comps, tutoring, musicals, and running late. Somewhere between all that, I blinked, and five years had passed.
People often ask me why I take on so much. The truth is I’m curious. Curious about people, ideas, systems — and how far I could stretch without completely burning out (spoiler: I found that limit). I think Macleans has that effect on a lot of people. It gives you momentum. It becomes your arena and your anchor at once. But I’ve made peace with the fact that I’m not perfect at any one thing.
That’s not to say it’s been smooth. I’ve cried over missed deadlines and burned myself out trying to be everything to everyone. There were times when I felt like I was falling behind, even while leading from the front. The crash-outs behind the curtain are real — failures, late-night panic, and imposter syndrome. But I’ve come to believe that growth isn’t linear. It looks like falling apart, recalibrating, and trying again.
But somewhere in the currents of it all, I learned to stop tying my value to achievement, and to pause. Resting isn’t the opposite of ambition, but rather what makes it sustainable and encourages growth. Growth that looks like letting go of things I’ve outgrown, asking for help, and redefining what ‘enough’ looks like.
The things I’m most proud of won’t win awards. They’re the smaller wins — helping a junior finally understand a maths concept. Cheering for each other backstage during the musical.
To anyone feeling like they’re swimming in commitments — I promise you don’t need to do everything to mean something. Say yes to what energises you; let go of what doesn’t. The most impressive thing you can do is protect your peace (and maybe keep a spare charger in your bag).
Macleans gave me a place to practice showing up. And in showing up, I grew. I found what I love and people who shared that same passion. I failed at things I cared about. But most importantly, I learned.
If there’s one thing I’d tell my Year 9 self, it’s that you don’t have to prove your worth by how busy you are. You’re allowed to move at your own pace. Let the tide carry you sometimes, and trust that you’ll know when it’s time to step ashore.
31st July, 2025
Written by: Cecilia Ma
Edited by: Jocosa Lin, Haran Thirumeni
Photo by: Cecilia Ma, Emma Li
