JOIN USSetting career goals for better scores
Pradeep was a very sincere and committed student. When I first met him, he was in 9th standard, and even at that stage his ambition in life was very clear – he wanted to be a commercial pilot.
He was fascinated with planes and flying. His parents were initially apprehensive about his choice, but seeing his passion and commitment, they relented.
Pradeep took up science (PCME) at the +2 level, did well, explored the best flying training schools in the world and managed admission in one of the good flying schools in Canada.
At his college there, he was told that he first has to pass a theory exam that leads to Student Pilot Licence (SPL) before he could move on to a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) and then a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).
He started reading the theoretical subjects with great enthusiasm. He could easily comprehend chapters that were based on mathematics and physics. But he started to face trouble with the voluminous portions relating to Geography.
Throughout his high school, he had neglected Social Studies because he knew he wanted to be a pilot. He had not realised that Geography was as important in aviation as Physics was.
Pradeep had to spend sleepless nights for months, his parents had to bear the additional expenditure of his extended stay, and he finally became an expert (and a much wiser) commercial pilot. Today, Pradeep reads and explores anything that is even vaguely related to his field.
Word to students
If you are studying for exams, make efforts to connect each subject and each topic to real life. Understanding that every subject has its own relevance and exploring your textbooks as a tourist would explore a new city, ensures that learning is complete. When you realise that these subjects can make you more capable, studying can actually become fun.
Compete with yourself, using previous exam results as a benchmark, and see how much higher you can go. At the same time, do not use marks as the ultimate parameter of your abilities.
Keep in mind that if you are realistic, your final results will vary only marginally, compared with what you expected. And also remember that one who scores the highest marks is not necessarily the person who will do best in life. Use study techniques most suited to you, smart work is better than hard work.
Boring subjects
There is no such thing as a “boring” subject. There are only interested and uninterested people. If you want to drive a car, can you drive it if one wheel is missing? Can you drive a car that has four wheels, but the steering wheel is removed? In the same way, every subject is an essential component in making you an educated, enlightened and successful professional.
Take each subject, particularly the so-called boring ones, and find out why they are being taught and how they will benefit you in real life. If you cannot visualise, ask your parents, teachers or anyone knowledgeable in that field.
Talk to any self-made successful person, and you will notice that they can converse freely on a wide range of topics. They have varied interests and are willing to learn from you.
I recollect an incident from long ago, when I was fresh out of college and helping a friend run a small printing press. One day, a tall and erect elderly gentleman with flowing white hair walked in to get his visiting cards printed.
He turned out to be the then Air Chief Marshal I M Lateef. I was stunned when he very politely asked me if he could stand and watch his cards being printed, because he had never seen how the printing process takes place!
Those students who develop a curious mind find that even boring subjects have something that arouses curiosity, which automatically promotes learning. Regardless of what career you would like to take up, there will be many changes and innovations, and the only way you will be able to keep abreast is to develop an inquisitive mind. Even taking interest in and excelling in a subject taught by a boring or strict teacher is learning in itself.
If you hate a subject, find it boring, or feel that it is just not going into your head, talk to the teacher and ask her to explain how the subject is going to be useful to you in later life.
If a teacher does not give you a satisfactory explanation, talk to classmates who like that subject and do well in it. Sit with them and study or read a chapter, and ask them to explain what they have understood. It will give you a new insight into the same topics that earlier did not arouse your interest.
With fast changes in technology, one can never predict which subject will be useful in which career. Doctors are becoming more technology oriented. Big Data will be a boon to Advocates in future. Biology may become an essential part of computers if the DNA chip replaces silicon.
While there is a debate at the national level between German and Sanskrit languages, a former student of mine wrote from Germany saying that he has picked up their language very fast since his grandfather had taught him Sanskrit – he realised that both languages have the same classical approach and similar grammar.
Change in attitude
Stress in facing exams is only an outcome of your attitude towards them. You have studied, less or more, through the year. You obviously already have some knowledge and expertise. Maybe without studying for the exam, you can still get, say 50 per cent marks. Think of it as if you are going out to do batting on a cricket pitch and there are already 50 runs to your credit on the score board.
Going from 50 towards the century will not look so difficult. When you become 18 years old, you would love to have a driver’s licence, wouldn’t you? But to obtain it, you need to appear for a test at the RTO.
You do not run away from that exam, you go for it with great enthusiasm. Even if you fail the first time, you are more determined to pass the test in the next attempt and get the coveted driver’s licence. Look at your exams as tests for your licence to life.
When exams loom like storm clouds over your head, when formulae, definitions and dates dance in front of your eyes, looking at your studies as a passport to success and a green card for a better life not only makes the long hours of study less daunting, but also ensures that you learn and score better and feel fulfilled and happy.