Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Scored low in exams? Its not the end of the world...

CBSE class X and XII results came out earlier this week. As a 90% aggregate becomes as common as kissing in our movies (no big deal) and cut-offs for good colleges become insane, we wonder if there is anyone who hasn’t scored amazing marks. In the loudness of the voice of few high scorers, we often forget about the majority of so-called mediocres who haven't made it into high flying 90% list. According to the report published in THE HINDU newspaper, only 6.6 per cent of students across the country scored above 90 per cent. That means if you are not in the list, don't get disheartened. The majority is still with you. 
Consider an average guy X, who scored something like 65% n board exams and was not so confident about getting a better college & a better job. Everyone, including his parents, relatives and neighbors consoled him that it’s not the end of the world and he has a bright future ahead. But did they really mean it? Did they actually believe their own words of condolence? This article is not meant to act as a balm to your low marks. The aim is to address the majority of the students who don’t get in the limelight because they are below 90%. But consider this:
1.      Marks are only one aspect of one’s capability – Yes marks are important. Higher marks help you get into better branded colleges, which in turn attract better branded companies, which in turn tend to give better compensation (salary). After all its all about money, isn’t it? And I won’t be giving examples of Ambani or so, and say that marks don’t matter. But if you are an average middle class Indian, looking to make his/her living by working for someone else, higher the marks, better the start of your professional career. But it doesn’t means that getting a little less marks is the end of the world. There are lot many organizations which can’t attract the top scorers from colleges and offer jobs to the mediocre talent. But trust me, in my short professional life of 7 years, no one has ever asked my marks after my first job. It’s what I have learnt at my job, and what I have achieved in job is all what matters.
2.       The game is not yet over – The only thing high marks indicate is that the student has the tenacity and perseverance to excel at something. Hence, I am not going to say toppers don’t deserve praise. But life is more than just tenacity and mathematics. Exams don’t test creativity, imagination, people skills and communication. In life these are what matter. And who says that Google or Infosys or HUL are the only companies offering settled life. It’s about what you are good at, what makes you succeed. Learn and improve yourself and do your job with honesty and sincerity. Opportunities will come over time, if you improve yourself. Not everyone can become Sachin Tendulkar of cricket or Lionel Messi of football. But it’s the team of 11 and the substitutes that make a team – CHAMPIONS.
3.      Changing the aptitude – Work is not a burden; it’s a game you need to play. Play it to enjoy and the life will be a lot easier. Complaining regularly about the system will not help, it will only increase your stress and hence deteriorate your own health. Its difficult to believe but I have found it helpful saying – “Either change the system and make it better, or be a part of the system”
This is not written by a guy who secured 90-95% marks and got admission in IIT or IIM and everything was smoothly achieved. It’s written by a average guy belonging to same mediocre category, who has always believed in learning and to enjoy the life – personal & professional. Today, here I am; sitting with the guys from NITs and IITs doing the same work as I am doing and getting more or less the same remuneration. Yes, I had to sacrifice a few years of my life to achieve the same level, but in the end – the experience I had got from those extra few years have made me more tough yet flexible who can get settled more easily than these toppers of our education system.  

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