How helpful is Mugging up?
Something about the most practiced way of scoring marks these days which is always mixed with “Studying” by most of the people. Be it school going children or college going students everyone’s major motto these days is to score marks and, they mug up to do that. The fact that the amount of knowledge we gain out of it is something different. Mugging up is one of the most common & practiced ways which is in trend these days and which will most probably stay in the education fraternity always. But the question which one should ask themselves is that “how helpful is mugging up to us?” or the reason why we practice it is just for the sake of getting some marks under our belt. For almost all the cases the answer will be to score marks only. For everyone out there, this should be a thing worth giving a thought about. Studies are supposed to enhance our knowledge & thinking about a subject but, mugging up takes it away from the purpose. When you mug up a topic, say gravity. You don’t think about the topic in and out or you don’t give yourself a reason why do we take the acceleration with the negative sign when an object is thrown upwards. This is a very basic example and everyone would know this by default. But, if this is the case about every topic which one mugs up, it is going to be a major problem and an issue which one should do something for. Education is meant to be understood with ample amount of reasons to fulfil its purpose in our lives rather than just remembering things before the night of an exam and writing it up on the next day. Undoubtedly, marks have their own importance which cannot be left out. But, at the same time, this importance should not come in the way of gaining knowledge. So, everyone should study with the thought of gaining something from it other than marks.
Mihir Tanwar
STRESS MANAGEMENT
Stress as a phenomenon isn’t good for great. Homo sapiens tend to stress on anything, be it work, family, well-being, etc. Though, stress can be good in some cases in which people stress on something and then end up working harder which eventually leads them to their goal. But, 90% of the cases don’t go this way. People under stress are more prone and exposed to permanent diseases like blood pressure and in some severe cases, this can even lead to budding of heart problems. Stress Management is one of the cures which gives us a way to deal with the problem. Effective stress management leads to a healthier and happier life. Stress management involves a wide range of techniques and psychotherapies which control stress levels in a person’s life. Firstly, people should begin to realize within themselves about the cause for their stresses and whether the problems are temporary or permanent. Also, people should try and let go of unhealthy ways which they use to get over the stress in their lives, typical examples can be procrastination, smoking, junk food, sleeping more than the normal durations, etc. Secondly, one should try and avoid unnecessary stresses like worrying about results, worrying about some approaching exams rather than studying for them. Some of the most common stresses can be avoided with a bit of positive thinking. Also, the company of some people who stress a lot can lead you too to stress unnecessarily. People should try to alter problems by reframing them and trying to change perspectives about them, for example, there lies no point on stressing about an upcoming result, as, whether you stress about it or not, the result would have no changes in it, so why not keep calm about it. Stresses can also be sometimes related to some problems which you need to accept as you can’t change them and hence there is no point stressing over them. So, one should try and adapt to such issues in their lives. In the end, everyone should know that no issue or stress can ever be justified for giving up.
The Importance of Extra-Curricular Activities
Sports and Extra-Curricular Activities are very important for a student’s life. Both of these lead to the physical and social betterment of a student. Sports inculcate the habit of working together in teams, it develops a sense of companionship, it aspires everyone to develop leadership qualities in themselves, etc. Such qualities help students evolve to become better. Sports also demonstrates perhaps the most important characteristic in a human being i.e. “winning isn’t everything, participation makes a difference” everybody in the game desires to turn the game on their side but at the same time, the ultimate goal for everyone should be to give a healthy competition and one should make sure that they put up a decent fight out there. Participating in sports events sometimes can teach people about such things which could never be taught by any other media. Extra-Curricular Activities are the activities which aren’t involved in the basic curriculum of a school/university but still play a vital role in the overall development of a student. Extra-Curricular activities aid a student’s overall personality and blend perfectly with a student’s academic abilities, these may increase a student’s motivation and time management skills, which even makes them secure higher grades in their academics. These activities include from volunteering for NGOs, taking part in rallies/marathons for different causes, taking part in debates/MUNs, scouts, enrolling in the NCCs, participating in annual functions in schools/in fests for universities. Academics and extra-curricular activities complement each other and develop a well-rounded, socially skilled, and healthier student. Many students who excel in some extracurricular activities even get into universities under special recommendations too.
Healthier the Better
The title for the most famous phrase would definitely go to the phrase “Health is Wealth”. Health is the most important sphere of any person’s life. Undoubtedly, there is nothing in our life that is more valuable than good health. Without health, there is no happiness, no peace, and no success. If everyone knows and realizes the importance of good health early in their lives then they’ll get one step closer to their goals. Health is a type of a pre-requisite for human life, there lies no meaning in one’s life if they are unfit. It’s a famous saying that “a healthy mind resides in a healthy soul”. Being true to its core, this phrase holds true for everyone on the face of this earth. Even a rich person can’t enjoy the pleasure of being rich if he is unfit. A healthy person is completely free from any illness or injury. Our health depends upon several factors, such as food, exercises we do, sleeping habits, mental stress, the air which we breathe, water and sunlight. Food is certainly the primary cause of a person being in a poor state of health, but as time is passing by the newer generation is getting more induced towards having fast food which is not good for their health. An improper diet can cause, obesity, cholesterol problems, depression, lower stamina, etc. Apart from intake habits, the amount of stress which we lay on our mind also plays a vital role in our health conditions too. Also, for staying healthy one should do ample amount of exercises, exercises could be in any form such as running, outdoor sports or going to a gym. It’s high time and we all should start doing something towards our better health so that we could enjoy all the successes which are going to come our way in the future. As health is more valuable than money. Money cannot buy health and happiness. But a healthy person remains in a state of bliss and satisfaction.
Life in a College
No matter how ready you are in your head for getting into college but, you'll be anxious as soon as you get into one. New friends, new environment and a whole lot of freedom. One may feel homesick too when they get into a college, especially the ones shifting away from their family for the first time may miss their family and friends which are natural and happens to almost everyone at some point in their lives. What one should focus on should be making friends with some common interests as they'll be the ones who'll stay with you for the span of next 3-4 years and we all love to be surrounded by our friends especially in hostels. In college, you should concentrate on both, studies and curricular activities. As far as studies are concerned unlike as in schools, people have to study mostly on their own, life in a college makes you able to work in deadlines. Apart from studies one should, read news, attend seminars, visit the library, and take part in the happenings in the campus and so on. Life at any college can be busy and a bit hectic at times but it'll all get to normal (maybe in a semester). One has to wake up by 7 to make it to the morning class on time and has to keep up with the pace till 11 in the night. Apart from the hectic schedule people get to learn a lot, experience a bunch of new things and, let's face it, college life is one unforgettable journey and everyone remember theirs and cherish it.
Are IITs really worth the pain?
99% of the non-med students and parents aim for IITs. But, is all that rigorous prep really worth it? IITs have been touted as the benchmark for every engineering aspirant out there but, is all that pain really worth it for trying for your four years in an IIT. All of us know that IITs are at the top of the line of the engineering colleges in India but, a lesser known fact is that not even a single IIT has made its place in the Top 150 engineering colleges in the world. Students start preparing for their “big exam” from 9th standard onwards and this is has been a trend for quite a time now. People even move to the “Prep capital of India-Kota” in their school days for preparing for IIT. The reality is a bit different, rather than preparation the students have to go through a lot of stress & pressure. Though, life in IITs is undoubtedly enlightening and enriching in terms of knowledge. IITians tell that the amount of knowledge which they’ve gained from the professors is lesser than what they have learned from their batch mates, because in IITs every student has undergone a very rigorous training and has fine-tuned his techniques to a much higher level, so, everyone in the IITs will be smarter than you. Due to such high competition before and after getting into IITs, one is bound to work hard and sustain in their position. The environment & the healthy competition is undoubtedly good but the question is that out of 1.4 Million students attempting the exam only 10 thousand get selected and during this preparation, the stress and mental pressure which the students go through is worth it or not? Well, that depends entirely on you. On what you make of it. IITs for sure have all the resources and an excellent peer group so if you know how to hit the right chords, it might as well be worth it. But then, if you really want to make it through, suicide/influence of harmful things shouldn’t have even a minor chance. One should believe in themselves and in the preparation which they do because things can never go that bad that you even think of giving up. Also, students should make sure that they perform well and work with all their heart irrespective of the college they get in because the Journey is more important than the Destination and Life is what you make it. Cheers!
Science vs Commerce
Finished your 10th standard exams? Not sure if you should go for Science or Commerce? Let’s find out. Choosing your stream could be a pretty difficult choice and all your Permutations and Combinations (which you might’ve thought of) may not work now. Science and Commerce are the most common choices for students at this time. But, only your passion should be the driving force in this crucial decision, be it your marks, or even your parents’ likings, nothing should come in the way between your goal and your passion. There can be various factors which may help you choose the better stream for you. Commerce is basically related to a study of trade/business related activities such as exchange of services from producer to consumer. The perks of being on this side of the spectrum will be that no matter which sector you choose to work in, a sound understanding of Commerce subjects will invariably be required and appreciated. Be it the recession or not, people with commerce will always stay in demand which isn’t really the case with people of engineering background. Science deals with intellectual and practical activity and having an understanding of activities with an observational and experimental approach towards them. If you are from this stream, you’ll always have the benefit of inventing and discovering new stuff for the good of the whole society while no other stream will have such an opportunity. Also, students from the science section, after +2 can get straight into professional lines like engineering or medicine which isn’t the case for commerce guys, as they have to start their professional journey by registering for a Chartered Accountancy foundation course. Having all these points in mind, it should be realized that they should not be compared with each other as both of them have their own unique importance in the real world. Summing it up, I’d say that, the one you love should be your choice as a career. Your future doesn't depend on what you choose between Science and Commerce but on what you love and how much effort you put in it. Always remember Do What You Love, Love What You Do. So, make sure that whatever you do, put all your heart and soul in it and there’ll be no other result than success. Best of Luck!