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Cracking tests
Usually, the foremost problem faced by youngsters is related to studies. For the top students it
is the fear of losing one's position by a few marks, while for those lower down, it is not being
able to get enough no matter how much effort is put in. The uncertainties of the examination
system seem to make it so impossible to excel. What matters is the quality of our
concentration. Here are some ways by which our efforts can be better rewarded:
Always attend classes. Bunking classes may be a fashion, but it is always better to have
somebody explain things rather than reading a book later on. Take notes. Revise the topic at
home on the same day and mark your book with simple explanations which you will otherwise
forget.
How to stay awake. Feeling sleepy in class is a common feeling. Asking questions or taking
notes is a way to keep awake. Do not accept what the teacher is saying, but keep debating in
your mind. Try to make points which need explanation.
Studying at home. It is an accepted fact that the human mind cannot concentrate for long
periods. It is better to break up your study plan into 45 minute intervals. Take a break after
each. Studying for five hours continuously would yield less result than putting in 5 intervals of
45 minutes each.
Wake up early. Many students study into the night, but it is more efficient to put the same
effort in the morning. That's because one can concentrate better in the morning. Just two
hours in the morning will be better than four hours at night.
Work to a schedule. Always have a time plan for working. Divide the chapters you want to
cover and allot dates for each. This way, you can cover more than working without a plan.
Overcoming shyness
Studies are just one aspect to succeed in life. Becoming confident and speaking in public is
often the insurmountable part, especially because these skills are not taught in schools or
colleges. There are some students who take part in college debates and declamations, while
the majority of students either do not get an opportunity or are unable to get over their
shyness.
In most careers, team work is required. The inability to speak coherently or being shy will thus
be a major drawback. Shy people often have a negative self-image and may feel that other
people may make fun of them, even though nobody has enough time to think about others.
The self-inflicted thoughts prevent people from being normal and the impression they project
is one of being snooty and arrogant. Shy people may, thus, end up being looked down upon,
turning their fears into reality.
Very often we create our own limitations. "I live in a small town and people living in cities are
better than me", says one. Another person will say, "I live in a city but I was not educated in a
convent school, so others are better." This goes on, almost as if people are trying to justify
their weaknesses. Needless to say, the walls are imaginary. People from small towns or
government schools often do quite well for themselves, cometimes even better than those who
consider themselves better off. Take the example of the President of India Mr K.R. Naraynan.
He was neither educated in convents nor did he live in big cities. When we analyse the
backgrounds of successful people, we will discover that only a few of them were from large
cities or educated in convents.
The way to overcome this niggardly feeling is startlingly simple: take control and volunteer for
everything. Take part in outdoor activities. Play games. Volunteer for any group activity taking
place in the neighbourhood. In college, seek opportunities to make presentations and
speeches. That is how confidence is acquired.
Surviving as a girl
Whatever one may say about advancement of women in all spheres of life, it is becoming
increasingly difficult to survive as a girl in modern India. Blame it on the media which projects
the image that every girl wants fun, or on anything else you wish. The dangers are many, from
being teased by unknown people to being touched in crowded places. In extreme cases, this
has taken serious turns: rejected males have thrown acid at girls or tried to harm them in
other ways. Every once in a while, a scandal erupts which makes one wonder whether girls are
really equal at all. Cases of rape and sexual exploitation are common. The latest scandal was
exposed in Kerala where girls going to an ice cream parlour were drugged and their
photographs taken, which were used to exploit them. Such scandals have been reported in the
most unlikely of places.
Outdated laws in India encourage males to take liberties; girls do not press charges because
of shame and the culprits are usually acquitted. The atmosphere in the country has been
vitiated to a very great extent that most girls face a tough time just doing simple tasks. The
more beautiful you are, the more difficulties you are likely to face.
Girls, thus, need a special survial kit which includes the confidence of dealing with unwanted
attention. Of course, it is not advisable to fight with everyone. But the following tips will help:
Move around in a group. If you have to take the public transport, try to be with friends. Ask
your friends to accompany you on errands. A girl in a group is less vulnerable to advances
Appearance
Your appearance speaks the world about you. That, however, does not mean that you have to
stand for hours before a mirror trying to perfect your hairstyle. People usually do not pay
attention to such things. What matters is whether you are presentable or not.
That effect is usually obtained by looking clean. Boys are well advised to shave everyday: a
beard or a three-day old stubble gives an unclean impression. Regular haircuts give a wellgroomed look. Sporting a ponytail or wearing earrings are best left to television presenters,
since these are not signs of smartness. Long hair is unnecessary baggage which turns off the
people dealing with you. Wear clean clothes. For formal occasions, make sure you have some
ties. For everyday wear, pick up some jeans and smart T-shirts, but do avoid garish prints. It
is good to use a de-odorant in summers. Avoid all other cosmetics.
Girls too need some dresses to be worn on special occasions. For everyday wear, suits and
jeans are advisable. Colours can be used to advantage. Forget all those bold clothes made by
fashion designers unless you want to make a fool of yourself. A girl can usually obtain a decent
effect in clothes on her own. The hair must be trimmed to give a well groomed look. As for
make-up, a light lipstick is all you need. Have your eyebrows shaped and get rid of facial hair.
There is no point spending more time and money in trying to look good. Leave the fancy
things to those who want to enter beauty contests. The formal look, required for jobs and
interviews, is achieved by wearing a plain suit.
The idea is not to spend too much time on one's appearance because there are more
important things to life. Moreover, it is doubtful that you have friends because of the way you
look. People appreciate you for your nature and the kind of person you are. This does not
mean that one can be sloppy, of course, but the fact is that you can have as many friends as
you want with your manners and attitude than by spending a fortune on looking good. Of
course if you want to be a model or beauty queen, your appearance will be paramount.
Today's smart person is a team player, confident about oneself. Yes, they are ambitious. As
compared to youngsters of the past, they probably have more confidence and are much more
aware. The idea is to use these advantages constructively. We have to stop feeling sorry for
ourselves, since there is nobody who has everything. We can be achievers too, if we give
ourselves a chance. If less fortunate people have made it big, what really stops us, who are
young and educated, who have our lives in front of us?