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
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Jinal Doshi - A civilized structural engineer and his thoughts, who sometimes behaves like a psychopath. 