Dear Madam,
I am 24 and afraid for my future. I did not do PUC due to family problems. I have been working since. I enrolled in Bangalore University (correspondence) and am waiting for my final year B.Com results. I am planning to do MCA (correspondence).

My problem is that I think of the future a lot, I always think about studying but in vain. I am not able to concentrate on one thing; lots of unwanted things are roaming around in my head. At any cost I have to do MCA. I am doing meditation for the last one month to clear off the thoughts but even then I am not able to concentrate. I am working in a private organisation, which is not related to my studies. Also, I am the elder one in the family and they are dependent on me. Please suggest how I can control my pressure and concentrate on my studies.

Purushi

Dear Purushi,

I think you have done what most people do in your given circumstances, which is to do different things to feel that you are climbing the ladder but in truth you have not found the ladder itself.

It is good to think about the future, but thinking should result in a plan of action, not in worrying about the future. The first basic question you should answer is:

Are you happy in your present job? If the answer is Yes consider Plan A. If the answer is No consider Plan B.

Plan A:

B.Com is a basic degree. If you are happy with your job then do future courses to add value to your present knowledge and skills. This will give you an advantage for promotions and up gradation. You have decided you have to do MCA, but you need to evaluate whether it fits in with the plan of progressing in your career and your B.com degree.

Plan B:

Think of the following two statements and write your answers. Point A – Where I am right now:

Point B – Where I want to be in the future (within given time frames for e.g. 2 years from now, 5 years from now and so on.)

This could be the terms of your career, how much money you want to earn, marriage etc. Then write down your short-term goals to achieve these goals. Then comes the most important task of consistently working on the plan you have worked out.

If there is further studying to do, this is the time to choose a course that fits in with your goal. Now for a few other issues:

Being the elder one in the family does not mean that you work and earn, and the rest of the family only take. You have to be a leader in the family and see that everyone takes on some responsibility. Please do not make the rest of the family your dependents; they should also feel a sense of pride in doing something that is good for themselves and for the whole family.

Lastly meditation does not have instant success. It is a process and you must have patience. Persevere and you will find results.

Dear Madam,

I have finished my graduation (BBM) from B.U in June 2007. My percentage was 65% aggregate. I am planning to do my MBA from a reputed college where I need to appear for CAT, XAT or MAT. I am very weak in Maths, so I won’t be able to score a good percentage this time. For this reason I have to waste my 2 years because CAT and XAT exams are held only once a year. I am planning to join coaching classes to prepare for the entrance exam. Please suggest what I should do now. I don’t want to wait for 2 years.

Rahul

Dear Rahul,

You are certainly a man in a hurry. Despite not wanting to point out what you have done wrong, I am forced to tell you that you are in your present situation due to lack of planning. If you wanted to do MBA from a first rung college and also knew you are weak in Maths, the preparation could have started a couple of years ago. In other words, what I am trying to say to you is that there is no way you can change the system, - you will have to go through the process. Most often we do not have shortcuts in life.

However, do your best to be successful in your Entrance test, so that you do not waste more time. Here are a few suggestions.

Read 2 to 3 Newspapers everyday

Join a coaching class, which will provide you the discipline to work smart. Practice your Maths everyday by reasoning and analysing – not mechanically. Be Positive.

In addition a part time job would be a good idea as work experience is an added advantage to doing well in MBA.
Don’t close your options by appearing only for CAT, XAT, and MAT. Second rung colleges have also potential for good jobs.

Have you heard of the story of the monkey who put his paw into a jar to grab a few peanuts? He could not pull his paw out, because he would not let go of the peanuts. He fell prey to hunters and was caught. Think of this, – you will find answers to your situation in the story.

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