Examination – The word taken the wrong way

Exams are always considered as a dark side of our education. When a teacher or a professor calls for an examinations suddenly a grey side of our life comes into picture. A fear so strong, that no body can overcome, suddenly rises up. A nervousness to a great extent that we end up performing poor or okay in the exams. But why? It is a part of education. It should be there to check our level of knowledge in that particular subject. We have books, we have professors, we have internet, we have softwares, we have almost everything as compared to the previous generation. Then too why? There are several reasons behind this cause.

1. Definition of Exam

 

Actual Definition:

A test or examination is an assessment intended to measure a test taker’s knowledge, skill or aptitude or physical fitness, etc etc.

 

Definition across the globe

Examination means competition, not with yourself but with others. It means puking out your knowledge or your formulas in a sheet of 8.5″ X 11″ size. It means scribbling out the same things that the professor taught you.

The difference. It is this particular difference that causes the common problem that we are dealing today with exams. We are competing in exams with others, it is important for me what others study, it is important for me what my friend is studying for exam, it is important for me how friends are preparing for exam, it is important for me what are the common problems that my classmate are facing, it is important for me what my professor wants me to write, it is important for me that what are the important questions in the exam.

This is where you are screwed up. Where are you in the whole scenario? Isn’t your sole study important for you. Isn’t it important what do you think for a particular topic? Isn’t it important to figure out the way you should approach for a particular problem? All that is no more. Your thinking is destroyed. The reason for what you are here is no more valid. Dude, just peep into yourself, this isn’t you are expecting for yourself.

2. Approach for studies

Today, if I ask you why are you studying, what will your answer be? For completing my assignment or for exams. Again your approach for your education is limited till your exams. You should study to understand first. Then you should study for it’s application. Then study the same thing and think about the complexities that can be derived using it. Then come to assignments with that attitude and then at last when time is left revise the course for exams. Again noticed the difference? Yes, in the first case you were not critical with your studies, but in the latter one you were as strong as a shield, a shield which is invulnerable to any situation. In exams, the questions define different situations, to which you need to present a best possible solution. This is where your critical studies will help you.

I remember, that once I was studying just a single chapter for one whole week. The chapter was very basic and it was not in the syllabus. But I dare to do it. And then I was so much powerful in the topic that even after an year what is about the topic and how can I implement in real world. If you will not read critically you will end up something like this.

3. Life is Race (REALLY!!!!)

 

 

3 Idiots, a perfect example. Life is race, if you will not run fast enough, someone will crush you and run ahead. Well, I didn’t want to include this sentence but I laugh out louder when I read this one. What the heck is race? Whom are you competing with? Is the ultimate aim to score good marks or to gain better knowledge. Well, the race is for good marks here. But what is a grade without a knowledge? Even if you mug up everything, every method, every formula and dump it on a paper how is it going to be helpful in your future? If your thinking runs behind marks you will end up adding pressure on yourself. Dude, give it a break. When was the last time you were asked to show your 10th grade marks if you are currently in college? When was the last time anyone asked your 5th grade marks if you are in 8th grade? When was the last time you were asked for your college grades if you are on a job? Don’t remember right?

But now think in this way, you got 100% in every subject but if you make a foolish mistake, then you know what people will point out? How the heck did this guy clear his college? Well, which is more insulting? To get percentage in 80’s or to score a perfect 100? Really, screw exam oriented situation. Think it as a part of academic studies and as an opportunity. Think that you are given a chance to test your own knowledge. Think that you are given a chance to check how much you studied and what more is left. If you have interest in the subject, why do you limit the studies till the exam syllabus? Why can’t you study further? Go ahead, push yourself harder towards a better future. Don’t be a sheep of the herd. Be a warrior, be one amongst the 300..!!

4. Peer pressure

Hey, how much your son scored in exams? How much are you prepared for the exams? How much will you score for the exams? Will you be able to make it to the 90’s? Why can’t you make it to the 90’s? Annu aunt’s son is scoring 98%…!! You scored 97%…!! Make sure that you come 1st next time.

Ever came across this situation? Oh.. yesterday itself. Ya, this was quite predictable. Fuck this shit. Why do these people bother you? Dude, if you will not score well, you will screw yourself. Don’t think what he or she or anybody will think what did you score. It is you who is the creator of your picture, it is you who will fill up the empty paper with the colors you like. It is you who is responsible for your success as well as your failure. If you fail they will tell you something and if you pass then also they will tell you something. But remember, don’t let this something make the difference. Learn from the failures and step on the throne of success.

5. Competition

Board exams, you will compete with 100 thousand people. JEE, you will compete with 1200 thousand people. GRE, the whole world is competing.

Hell yea, recent favourite meme. Anyways, jokes apart..!! This competition is nothing but a myth created by some people. Let us take an ideal situation where everyone knows everything. (1+1 = 2). The whole world knows about it. Now if I ask every single person on the planet to give the exam of above mentioned summation will be afraid of it? No, right? Now consider that you have to give an exam for calculating LCM of a number, will you worry? No..!! Now consider that you are asked to give  an exam for integration, well you will be worried a bit. Consider that you are asked to give an exam on classical newtonian mechanics in Latin. Well, the above meme is for you. Definitely almost all the person on this planet will screw up the exam. See the difference? The amount of nervousness depends on the practice done for developing your understanding. You need to see how much do you know and how well do you know. If you have spent enough time you will pass any exam related to that subject. You just need to sit, relax and study. Dude, you made it till here, you can definitely take it ahead. Don’t think exam as your competition, think it as a way to test yourself. The grades that you will get will show how much did you study till now. It doesn’t mean that you fail in the competition. Even Einstein failed in mathematics and now you can not understand what math he used in his theory of relativity.

I got C grade in one of the subjects of structural engineering in my undergrad and now I am able to pen down the blogs on structural engineer with deep understanding. It clearly says that I passed the subject pretty well. C grade was my performance at that time, and it was obvious because I did not prepare for it. I admit it. But does it make a difference in today’s understanding, no.!! I was not competing to a bunch of students, I was competing with myself. To get to a better stage.

6. Points important to do well for all the examinations 

1. Educate yourself – Learn everything don’t cram it up

2. Keep calm and believe in yourself – You are one of the warrior in 300

3. Exams are just a way to test yourself – take it as an opportunity instead of burden

4. Compete – Compete with yourself, world will compete with you

5. Excel – Don’t study just for exams, study for a better understanding

6. Be brave – You are the creator of your own destiny.

7. Stand apart – Study everything on your own without relying on anybody

8. Peer pressure – What the hell is that?

9. Make a shield – Study such that you break all the problems lying in front of you.

10. Life is journey and not a race.

And then

Examination, The word taken the wrong way

Exams are always considered as a dark side of our education. When a teacher or a professor calls for an examinations suddenly a grey side of our life comes into picture. A fear so strong, that no body can overcome, suddenly rises up. A nervousness to a great extent that we end up performing poor or okay in the exams. But why? It is a part of education. It should be there to check our level of knowledge in that particular subject. We have books, we have professors, we have internet, we have softwares, we have almost everything as compared to the previous generation. Then too why? There are several reasons behind this cause.

 

 

 

1. Definition of Exam

 

Actual Definition:

A test or examination is an assessment intended to measure a test taker’s knowledge, skill or aptitude or physical fitness, etc etc. 

 

Definition across the globe

Examination means competition, not with yourself but with others. It means puking out your knowledge or your formulas in a sheet of 8.5″ X 11″ size. It means scribbling out the same things that the professor taught you. 

 

The difference. It is this particular difference that causes the common problem that we are dealing today with exams. We are competing in exams with others, it is important for me what others study, it is important for me what my friend is studying for exam, it is important for me how friends are preparing for exam, it is important for me what are the common problems that my classmate are facing, it is important for me what my professor wants me to write, it is important for me that what are the important questions in the exam.

 

This is where you are screwed up. Where are you in the whole scenario? Isn’t your sole study important for you. Isn’t it important what do you think for a particular topic? Isn’t it important to figure out the way you should approach for a particular problem? All that is no more. Your thinking is destroyed. The reason for what you are here is no more valid. Dude, just peep into yourself, this isn’t you are expecting for yourself.

 

2. Approach for studies

 

Today, if I ask you why are you studying, what will your answer be? For completing my assignment or for exams. Again your approach for your education is limited till your exams. You should study to understand first. Then you should study for it’s application. Then study the same thing and think about the complexities that can be derived using it. Then come to assignments with that attitude and then at last when time is left revise the course for exams. Again noticed the difference? Yes, in the first case you were not critical with your studies, but in the latter one you were as strong as a shield, a shield which is invulnerable to any situation. In exams, the questions define different situations, to which you need to present a best possible solution. This is where your critical studies will help you. 

 

 

I remember, that once I was studying just a single chapter for one whole week. The chapter was very basic and it was not in the syllabus. But I dare to do it. And then I was so much powerful in the topic that even after an year what is about the topic and how can I implement in real world. If you will not read critically you will end up something like this.

 

 

3. Life is Race (REALLY!!!!)

 

 

3 Idiots, a perfect example. Life is race, if you will not run fast enough, someone will crush you and run ahead. Well, I didn’t want to include this sentence but I laugh out louder when I read this one. What the heck is race? Whom are you competing with? Is the ultimate aim to score good marks or to gain better knowledge. Well, the race is for good marks here. But what is a grade without a knowledge? Even if you mug up everything, every method, every formula and dump it on a paper how is it going to be helpful in your future? If your thinking runs behind marks you will end up adding pressure on yourself. Dude, give it a break. When was the last time you were asked to show your 10th grade marks if you are currently in college? When was the last time anyone asked your 5th grade marks if you are in 8th grade? When was the last time you were asked for your college grades if you are on a job? Don’t remember right? 

 

 

But now think in this way, you got 100% in every subject but if you make a foolish mistake, then you know what people will point out? How the heck did this guy clear his college? Well, which is more insulting? To get percentage in 80’s or to score a perfect 100? Really, screw exam oriented situation. Think it as a part of academic studies and as an opportunity. Think that you are given a chance to test your own knowledge. Think that you are given a chance to check how much you studied and what more is left. If you have interest in the subject, why do you limit the studies till the exam syllabus? Why can’t you study further? Go ahead, push yourself harder towards a better future. Don’t be a sheep of the herd. Be a warrior, be one amongst the 300..!! 

 

4. Peer pressure

Hey, how much your son scored in exams? How much are you prepared for the exams? How much will you score for the exams? Will you be able to make it to the 90’s? Why can’t you make it to the 90’s? Annu aunt’s son is scoring 98%…!! You scored 97%…!! Make sure that you come 1st next time. 

 

 

Ever came across this situation? Oh.. yesterday itself. Ya, this was quite predictable. Fuck this shit. Why do these people bother you? Dude, if you will not score well, you will screw yourself. Don’t think what he or she or anybody will think what did you score. It is you who is the creator of your picture, it is you who will fill up the empty paper with the colors you like. It is you who is responsible for your success as well as your failure. If you fail they will tell you something and if you pass then also they will tell you something. But remember, don’t let this something make the difference. Learn from the failures and step on the throne of success. 

 

5. Competition

Board exams, you will compete with 100 thousand people. JEE, you will compete with 1200 thousand people. GRE, the whole world is competing.

 

 

Hell yea, recent favourite meme. Anyways, jokes apart..!! This competition is nothing but a myth created by some people. Let us take an ideal situation where everyone knows everything. (1+1 = 2). The whole world knows about it. Now if I ask every single person on the planet to give the exam of above mentioned summation will be afraid of it? No, right? Now consider that you have to give an exam for calculating LCM of a number, will you worry? No..!! Now consider that you are asked to give  an exam for integration, well you will be worried a bit. Consider that you are asked to give an exam on classical newtonian mechanics in Latin. Well, the above meme is for you. Definitely almost all the person on this planet will screw up the exam. See the difference? The amount of nervousness depends on the practice done for developing your understanding. You need to see how much do you know and how well do you know. If you have spent enough time you will pass any exam related to that subject. You just need to sit, relax and study. Dude, you made it till here, you can definitely take it ahead. Don’t think exam as your competition, think it as a way to test yourself. The grades that you will get will show how much did you study till now. It doesn’t mean that you fail in the competition. Even Einstein failed in mathematics and now you can not understand what math he used in his theory of relativity. 

 

I got C grade in one of the subjects of structural engineering in my undergrad and now I am able to pen down the blogs on structural engineer with deep understanding. It clearly says that I passed the subject pretty well. C grade was my performance at that time, and it was obvious because I did not prepare for it. I admit it. But does it make a difference in today’s understanding, no.!! I was not competing to a bunch of students, I was competing with myself. To get to a better stage.

 

6. Points important to do well for all the examinations

 

1. Educate yourself – Learn everything don’t cram it up

2. Keep calm and believe in yourself – You are one of the warrior in 300

3. Exams are just a way to test yourself – take it as an opportunity instead of burden

4. Compete – Compete with yourself, world will compete with you

5. Excel – Don’t study just for exams, study for a better understanding

6. Be brave – You are the creator of your own destiny.

7. Stand apart – Study everything on your own without relying on anybody

8. Peer pressure – What the hell is that?

9. Make a shield – Study such that you break all the problems lying in front of you.

10. Life is journey and not a race.

 

And then

 

 

 

Emergency in the National Capital of India

Who wondered that a boy born in Siwani village of Bhiwani district in the state of Haryana will become the Chief Minister of Delhi for 49 days? Who wondered that a student of Indian Institute of Technology will form a party “Aam Aadmi Party”? Who wondered that this will will posses greater strength to fight corruption as compared to most of us? Ye I am talking about Arvind Kejriwal.

 

A.K. is always highlighted in media since the day Anna Hazare (Kisan Baburao Hazare) had started his fights against corruption. A.K. as a former joint commissioner of Income Tax department of Indian state joined the protest of Anna Hazare and supported him. His image from that initiation was a positive one. After joining hands with Anna, he carried on the protest and his main motto is and was to pass Jan Lokpal Bill into the central government, so that the transparency of the work in the center becomes more clear instead of always hidden behind the walls. His intentions are really positive and he wants to eradicate corruption. Then happened something anticipated, he formed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in November, 2012 and his steps were against Anna, but for me it was a good move to pass the Jan Lokpal bill. He wants to eradicate corruption from the nation and no other way can be better than this. To clean the sewage from the sewer you need to put in your hands yourself, you can’t order anyone else to do that. He formed the party and won a seat against Sheila Dixit who was elected for last 3 consecutive times. But he didn’t won the election and instead took an unconditional support from congress (DABAANG move..!!) to become a ruling party. This was amazing to see that the party who suffered a humiliating loss from AAP is actually supporting AAP and that too without any conditions. Undoubtedly congress is always cunning from the beginning so the party was playing some dark magic behind the curtains. But the point is Mr. A.K. became the Chief Minister of national capital of India. This was the prequel of the story, now lets get to the main point.

 

 Image credits: Wikipedia

 

 

Should A.K. have resigned from the party just after 49 days? Isn’t he being too arrogant? Well my personal views say that he shouldn’t have done this and there are several reasons why..!!

 

1. He is a CM of the state now, not a protester. Being a CM there are many more responsibilities than just one bill. He is handling a state of millions not fighting against the central government with millions. He has the responsibility of providing basic needs to the people of the state than rather concentrating on one particular thing. If you cannot be flexible during the initial days then you cannot work in the system. I know he might be in a hurry to get the bill passed before elections of 2014, but this is not the way government is habituated of working, if they haven’t passed the bill for last 6 years of so then how will they pass it in 6 months? A.K. should have proved it’s ability as a CM by providing good governance for the people instead of acting like a psychopath.

 

2. I was skeptical about A.K. as a CM since the beginning. The reason behind this is he hasn’t got any amount of experience in pure politics and governance. He is young, talented, brilliant brain but it would have been better to wait and work as an opposing party for the first three to four years. He would have come across the various faults in the government which needs to be repaired, and then on this stabilized foundations he should have worked ahead as a CM and would have worked for Jan Lokpal. Even a small start up company ask for an experienced employee, then how can a person be so sure of ruling the state so smoothly?

 

 

Image credits: OneIndia

 

3. He didn’t have a full support from the people of India. He promised of a smooth governance, a bright future, a safe place, but within 48 days he resigned because his demand was not fulfilled. He said that he will eradicate corruption from the roots but he should have rushed to it, he should have had patience, he should have made Delhi a safe place, he should have get cleaned the basins of the city, he should have worked on other small issues. By then he would have gathered public confidence and then of he would have made a move it would have been effective in two ways, one he would have changed the face of capital and other he might had a better impact on the government regarding the bill.

 

This are my personal views, but apart from me many international journalists are against his act. Even Andrew North, south asia correspondent of BBC news quotes, “He never really stopped being a protester – and never really looked comfortable as a politician – at least, not yet“.  

 

Even though after all this act I am not against the belief of A.K. but I think he just had a stain on his white cloth. I personally might be supporting him, but being a citizen of India and focusing on a better government I might not chose him as a CM because he is being too arrogant in his decisions. At this stage he is not demanding toys from his daddy, but he is working for millions of people out there in the state. He should be work as a grown up politician instead of acting like an immature. This can also reflect as if A.K. was in the politics just for getting the bill passed, he was never a good CM. At last what he did? Supplied some free amount of water and cheap electricity..!! That’s all?? Is it all you do as a CM? 

 

I cannot predict what’s going to happen tomorrow, but by the observations till today’s date, I think that Delhi is in trouble. I think the state has the darkest of it’s times. 

 

Your personal views are always welcome and I would be really happy to discuss with you all.

 

Stay happy, stay blessed and have a nice day.

 

Regards

Jinal Doshi

How bad do you want to be successful?

Look Up…!! Get Up…!! Never Ever Give Up…!!

Desire, it’s just the utter desire to achieve a particular thing makes every person on this planet work hard. It may be a desire for money, education, girl, car, bike, luxurious house or any damn thing, may be to impress someone or just because you loved it or you wish to enjoy it. The tiny spark that is generated, gets transformed into a wild fire, until a strong gush of wind passes by and blows away everything. This gush of wind might be a distraction of any form. Millions of reasons might be possible behind it, you can count them from giving up to a death ceremony of a close one, from losing a girl to getting in contact with a new one, from counter strike to DOTA, from IPL to World cup, from FIFA to La Liga it may be anything, but it is just a reason, a reason not strong enough to destroy your thought, your passion, your hard work, your desire.

Oh wait over here..!! Did I say anything wrong? I feel that the reasons portrayed above are actually some of the most common ones that destroy your hard work that was done till date to achieve. I know that by now you must have recalled something that you longed to have, but because of certain circumstances you gave up on that particular thing. So here comes the sudden realization, what to do now..!! How should I chase my dreams? How should I pursue my goals or desires and accomplish them? I don’t care how you do it, I am inking my thoughts over here to get you out from there, I am here to share my experience. I was also like you someday in the distant past, but I overcame the feeling of sinking in.  I know that some of you might not be confident to take a step further or you might even count the stars in the sky before trying your best.

You know what, great people never count days, they count hours, they count minutes and even seconds. They don’t even have a second to spend. They don’t pretend it, but they are into their pursuit of achieving, their desire to achieve is what makes them do so. Every second they spend, they count on them. Let’s take your daily routine, you sleep for how many hours? 8, right? So now you are left with just 16 hours, in that 16 hours, you spend nearly 2 hours on eating and getting fresh, you shit and pee right? You are now left with just 14 hours of the day. In this 14 hours you spend sometime talking to your girlfriend/boyfriend, parents, relatives, friends, count on it and that’s nearly 1.5 to 2 hours. So now you are left with 12 hours. Oh wait, WTF, you just wasted 12 hours nowhere. Now you will spend sometime on social networking websites and on web, you will spend sometime with your neighbor, you will spend sometime on daily redundant activities. That will leave just 10 hours or may be less in your hands. Lets take up your efficiency and round it up to 8 hours a day. See, you just spend two-third of your day doing nothing, you blasted your present. Now even if you work hard sticking your ass on one plane in space, then also you are not going to achieve it. Dude, there are thousand fucking more people who are eyeing the same thing and in that, there might be a few who will be working for 18 hours a day, constantly. They are working hard enough to crush anyone. Now that’s what you call spirit. Just see where you stand, while they are already at the top of the stair. It’s not about how hard you try, it’s about how efficiently yo try. You should work your ass off, let it burn hot red, let your body feel the friction between you and success. I assure you that after you achieve it you will get the most reliving feeling in your life.

You know what, when you want to be successful as bad as you want to breathe then you will be successful. If I ask anyone out of you about how much successful you want to be, everyone of you will say that you want to be really successful but it should not be bad, it should not bring you nightmares..!! For most of you, you don’t want success as bad as you want to sleep, you don’t want success as bad as you want to party, you don’t want success as bad as you want to be cool, you don’t want success as bad as you want to eat, you don’t want success as bad as you want to breathe. For you, becoming successful is a good path to follow. But my dear friend, it is actually the toughest path present around you.

I would recommend you to watch pursuit of happyness at least once. It’s a beautiful movie and it will teach you what is meant by successful, and it will teach you how much pain you need to carry in order to be successful. Success ain’t easy, you will cry many times during the journey but that cries will worth one fine day.

How many of you know Oscar Pistorius? I think he is famous enough. Do you think that this guy was blessed? Do you still think that he hadn’t worked at all to achieve that feat. Do you think is was easy, even to get qualified in paralympics? It yes, they you should give your shot, try running at par with him. I know that most of you will fail. Now that’s what you called hard work, he worked, he gave his actual best, he showed his potential, he showed the world what he is and what he can do..!! That’s what you call a commendable work, in fact an outstanding work.

“WHEN YOU LIVE FOR A STRONG PURPOSE, THEN HARD WORK ISN’T AN OPTION, IT’S A NECESSITY”

If you have come so far trying hard for what you wish to have, then why do you chose to give up after coming so far? Don’t you think that all your efforts will go in vain? Why are you making a fool of yourself? Even if you fail for thousand times you shouldn’t give up or else your thousand failures will go in vain.

You know, you have come so far, you have faced so many challenges in your life, and you did overcome all of them. Remember the first time you did cycling, you were scared of falling, but you learnt, you failed but you enjoyed the fruits. You din’t even know how to walk when you were born, and today just see yourself, you can walk, don’t you think that this much is enough to motivate you. Let me tell you some most inspirational  lines that I have listened to in my life.

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get it and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that! “

 

Yes, it’s from Rocky Balboa. Dude, why do you let people stick a finger on your face saying you can’t do this, you ain’t so good, or you are nobody. Don’t let them, try hard, give your best shot, just close your eyes and take a deep breadth and think that you can do it and I bet you that you will do it, I have faith in you, I have a believe in you. You are better than what you are today, in fact you can be the best. You just need that wild fire again in your heart, all you need is the burning desire.

 

Let me tell you about my failures and my hard works. I was in my 12th Grade and I was preparing for the nation’s toughest competitive exams, Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). For the whole year I probably slept for nearly 2.5 hours a day. I was usually sleeping in morning 4:30 or 5:00 am after studying the whole night and used to wake up at 7 or 7:15 am and get ready for the school. I went to school, conducted my studies really well. I usually studied for at least 19 hours a day. I was confident to get a seat in IIT. During my practice tests I usually scored near to 99.5 percentiles in online examinations. But the worst was yet to come, before JEE I had to prepare for my boards so I was indulged in the board examinations and the result was I scored distinction within 40 days of preparation for boards. Before 40 days I didn’t even looked at my textbook once. But the I lost confidence for JEE examination, I was afraid solving the numerical again, and I made a blunder in my exams. I managed to clear the exam but was not able to secure a seat. Now imagine, a 365 days all round hard work, with continuous efforts of 19 hours each day and you fail, it’s a real disaster for you. You feel that you are lost in the deep sea and nowhere to go. This feeling sucks. But I didn’t gave up, after that I did some unimaginable works during my under graduation at NIT, Surat. Yes, I collected strength to walk again, I collected strength to fly again, I collected strength to run again and you know what it’s always worth to give it a try. 

 

 

 

Life is never about winning all the time, it’s about trying your best. 

Life is never about being perfect, it’s always about working hard being an imperfect creature.

Life is never about losing, it’s about learning the best lessons from your failure.

Life is beautiful, learn from it.

Stay blessed, stay young, Be successful.

Regards

Jinal Doshi