Filling the application forms. Credits : La Fing

After a stressful school year, there is no doubt that as a high school student you need a break. However, riding the waves during the day and hanging out with your friends at night may seem like the perfect way to spend your vacation, but not when you may have to answer the following question on a college application: “Describe what you did this past summer and the summer before that.”

After completing school, there is always the anticipation of joining college and enjoying life with greater freedom. However admissions to colleges can be quite exasperating as one decides which colleges are right, the best courses to choose, as well as meeting the cut off percentage for different colleges. There are also many colleges in India that conduct admission tests, based on which students are short listed. Students from different streams have to prepare well in advance for getting admissions to the right colleges.

“It was as if all of us were waiting for that ultimate moment to formalize our admission. When our class 12 results were declared, thanks to technology, the marks were immediately made available on the internet, and we all started applying,” says, Akshat Runwal, a student from Bangalore.

Anxious moment - students checking their entrance results. Credits : La Fing

From finding time for test preparations to writing the college essay, from conjuring up a college list to crunching those big tuition figures, the admission process is fraught with big questions and anxiety for students and their parents. A student’s feelings throughout this crazy milestone have changed entirely so many times that it’s difficult to keep track of them all. Everything from stress, sadness, and frustration to excitement, joy, and, ultimately, acceptance is experienced by the student community.

Simran Jeet Kaur a student says, “In many colleges students are required to sit for an entrance test, particular for admissions to the honors degree courses. Shortlisted candidates are then called for a personal interview. While on the other hand, some colleges in India do not conduct any entrance test and select students on the basis of their class 12 marks, giving better chances to a few.” She further adds, “Different institutes have their own selection procedure for admissions to various courses. Students should collect the admission forms along with the prospectus of various colleges and submit them on time. There are special admission quotas available for Christian students in various catholic institutions. Colleges also reserve seats for students under the SC/ST category.”

As the trickle of decisions slowly becomes a flood over the next few weeks, it will become apparent that students who took the time to research colleges and determine which represented the best possible “fit” will realize the best results.
“The admission procedures that most colleges follow are on the basis of ‘first-come-first-served’. If a student meets the cut-off mark decided by the college for a particular subject, he is given provisional admission across the table. If he falls short, he is told to wait for a couple of days to check whether he can be accommodated after the quota seats are filled,” says Yash Jain, a student from Delhi Public School.

Prospectus. Credits : La Fing

Waiting in line is crucial to your college admission experience. It can teach you essential skills you need to survive college and beyond. The key is using your time productively while waiting in line. But in reality, college students could find more enjoyable ways of mastering endurance and patience than standing in long lines with their entire prospectus in hand. In addition to the wait itself, is the excruciating anticipation felt as you approach the front of the line submitting your application form.

“One of the things that surprise me is the randomness of student’s decisions about which college to attend. Students are influenced by parents, college choices of friends, national ranking, campus visits and finally their own perspectives,” says Mr. Raju, a counselor in Hyderabad.

Counseling. Credits : La Fing

As the college application process has become increasingly available through the Web, many companies are offering search engines that help students put together a list of colleges to consider.

In this age of social networking, a time where Myspace and Facebook are just as much a part of a person’s social sphere as their friends at school and around the neighborhood. Social networks provide a way for people to contact friends, family, classmates, post videos and photos, exchange news and ideas, blog, meet people and more. With regards to education, this provides a new way for students to familiarize themselves with colleges in more details. College requirements and recruitment information is posted on the internet at college sites and others as well. A number of colleges and universities now offer and require that applications and test scores be submitted online to simplify the application process.

Line Waiting. Credits : La Fing

Sambhav Munoth, a student applying for summer schools says, “Students reap the rewards of social networking by building relationships and networks. Students are able to share dreams and ideas with people who have similar expertise and pursuits and then develop and improve themselves. Different groups, organizations, and clubs exist within social network groups that bring together students from across the globe. Prospective students are able to make inquires and give tips to students facing college admissions.”

Yes, getting into your first pick college is important, but let’s keep it in perspective. Being accepted by your first choice college is certainly something to celebrate, but it’s not the end of the world if it doesn’t work out exactly as you’d hoped.
“As my daughter finds colleges that she is interested in, I am doing my own research in order to learn about the college myself. With college admissions more competitive than ever before, it is my job to help her navigate through the process with a minimum of stress and find a college that is right for her,” says Saroj jain, parent of class 12 student.

After all the crazy time spend, running about, deciding which college to chose from the never ending list, selecting the course of your choice from the wide variety of courses that are available today, the worst is yet to come, now comes the time to prepare for your entrance exams. It’s the time of the year when every student is on a run, to get the best for his future and his life ahead.

It's time to concentrate - Exam Time. Credits : La Fing

It’s that time of the year when every student wants to get done with the burden, attend college and make sure that their name is not there in the shortage list. They wish to get their hall tickets and start preparing for their exams. People say, “Exams are a necessary evil”. They are ‘necessary’ since until now no other alternative method has been adopted universally and ‘Evil’ because most people shiver by the name.

Vidhi Jain, a second year student from Picasa College says, “Exams cannot reflect a person’s true knowledge or intellect but it will definitely make us confident about our own knowledge and help us retain concepts longer. They are meant to test not just a student’s calibre regarding a subject, but also his or her discipline interest and attention towards studies through the curriculum.” She further says, “Last moment studies can never reflect in cent percent results. Preparation beforehand would include listening to valuable lectures which are of great practical knowledge and attainment of useful information from other sources. Whereas last minute preparation will make the student mug up and hence the knowledge volatile.”

The long corridors buzzing with anxiety, students turning around pages to get a last glimpse of what they have missed studying. It’s the time when everyone wishes for the paper to be simple and to remember what they have read.

Simran Kaur, a second year student from St. Bedes College, Shimla says, “Even without a text book to do last-minute mugging from, the familiar exam-hall scene doesn’t disappoint. There are scores of people reading through some printouts and notes, trying desperately to grasp on to the subject – to get hold of something that sounds familiar, but often it’s of no use.”

Having to sit in a crowded room for two hours, surrounded by people who smell like they haven’t taken a shower since the semester started, and answering questions that you’ll forget the answers to as soon as you walk out the door (if you even knew them in the first place) is the worst. It’s not like in high school where you might have a test every week. Here in the big leagues, there are only about three tests a semester and your grade desperate depends on your performance, no pressure.

Group Studies - Do they work? Credits : La Fing

“We enter the exam hall. The Question Paper is sitting right in front of me. Everyone in the room is tensed, even more so because you don’t know anything. “You may begin” the TA announces, and I cautiously open the exam booklet. ‘Please let me understand the first question. Please let me at least know what the question means’ – I utter my silent prayer to myself,” says Bharat Jain, a second year student from Bhavans Vivekananda College.

Rounak Gupta, a final year student from St. Francis College for Women says, “Since I don’t want to leave the exam paper blank, I go to the extent of writing the questions back– I had to write SOMETHING – to help penetrate the marks. After the exam is over we all sit and discuss the paper. No one knows what’s going to come of it, but at the end of the day, it was fun.”

Students just can’t seem to keep their hands off of their cell phones. Of course, text messaging is the main culprit. After all, it’s hard to imagine that study material is more interesting than what friends have to say. It’s 3am, a rather important exam is alarming in less than seven hours, there is still half the syllabus to be read and yet for some reason, you find yourself clicking robotically through pictures of a classmate you have not spoken to since junior high. Yes, you have found yourself on the website that needs no introduction. You check your Facebook account. Does the reading even have a chance? After all, you could be tagging yourself in pictures from last week’s party, or taking a quiz, or checking up on that kid you had a crush in your eighth grade. So with so many fun ways to avoid your work, how can a student be expected to pay attention?

Facebook Addiction - A Distraction. Credits : La Fing

“I think students should be prepared for exams well in advance. When they try to cram too much information at the last minute it doesn’t work. Naturally, they will then seek distractions as their brains are being overloaded with information. The only solution is to plan ahead and have healthy breaks built in,” says Urmila Mahajan, Teacher, International School of Hyderabad.

Waiting-to-the-last-minute syndrome is the biggest problem that most college students have. Despite all the websites that dominate your internet history and meetings and parties that demand your attendance, it is of the utmost importance to spread your studying out. If you wait until the last minute to cram, you will severely stress yourself out, lose sleep, and be completely fed-up.

“In true sense an exam is just a revision of all that has been taught in six months or a year. But frankly speaking exams are the times when 90% of people actually open their books for the first time. Our education system is more theory than practical and therefore no matter how hard we mug up the study material for days all that prevails in mind while undertaking an exam is the material from intense study sessions done on a day before or previous night,” says Aditi Jain, a final year Architecture student from CSIIT. She further says, “Even then I feel exams are important as it is the only force which makes us sit down and study.”

The problem is that most of us have is that of procrastination. You start to put off studying so much that it’s the night before the big day and you pull an all-nighter to learn an entire month and a half’s worth of information.

Piling up of the books. Credits : La Fing

“For me exam time is just like a monkey. I hate them both. Both increase my blood pressure and anxiety. I am scared of both and I always wish I don’t encounter them but then…. firstly it’s India where you can’t get rid of monkeys and secondly I am a student so I can’t avoid the exam time,” says Vamika Darhel, a second year student from St. Bedes College, Shimla.

Exam Schedule
10:00 pm Denial
11:00 pm Freak out about your unwritten paper
12:00 am First paragraph finished, checking Facebook
1:00 am 10 minute power nap and then productivity
2:00 am Red Bull break
3:00 am Ask friends in the class how far along they are and then complain to one another
4:00 am Productivity
5:00 am Read old aim chat
6:00 am Save paper five times in a row
7:00 am Printer doesn’t work! Panic as the sunrises.

“The most hectic time in the life of any student is undoubtedly the time just before an exam. I like most of the students, in order to revise, get up early on the exam day itself. And before entering the exam hall there is a lot of rushing around and last-minute clearing of doubts. When the exam is finally over and done with however, everyone is relieved and relaxed,” says Nandita Mahajan, a final year student from St. Francis College for Women.

It can be tough to balance study time during this crazy month, but somehow we get through it. Whether it’s by spending hours at the library, forming study groups, or getting tutors, we all have our own ways of surviving this stressful month.

Similarly, majority of the students are clueless when asked for this question.Vennela Madabhushi, a 3^rd year B.Tech  student of CMEC thinks,  “The students, who join engineering just follow the trend. Since now the incline is towards MS / MTECH / MBA so most of the students will go for MS/MTECH / MBA after B-TECH.” Thus nowadays you find  students  juggling through the books whether its GRE books, M.Tech Study Material or Apptitute Books.

As many are the people, those many are the reasons to opt. for any particular field. Ritu Varma says, “I want to move out of my shell and live an independent life so I would like to prefer MS in Australia where I can earn and pay my learn as much as possible”. Whereas C. Sammat Kumar has got a different reason to go abroad and do MS. He opines, “I want to go abroad to give financial support to my family and to simultaneously study over there.” Same is the case with students who are preferring for M-tech. They also have got their share of reasons. “I would like to go for M-tech as no one in my family has ever done it. I’m really determined about it and will start taking coaching in ACE institute after my 3-2  end  exams”, explains P.Nagmani. The other students who are not interested in higher studies are looking forward for jobs and their reasons as, “I am looking forward to get a job in software company as my parents don’t want me to go for higher studies and for that I’ll be taking coaching for the courses like .net, Oracle, DA&DS so that I can be confident when I step into any company for interview,” says Neal Harsha.

The core reason that most of the students are going with the so called “Popular” fields is the lack of knowledge about the various other options available. Students are aware of few options with limited knowledge and so every other student is trying to run after those few known fields. Proper browsing, interacting with  seniors and experienced persons/teachers are the few measures which can be adopted to avoid the question mark on the students’ faces, when asked for this question. Nithish bandari explains  about various such options, which many of the students are unaware of. “ The fields are mainly classified into 2 categories-Government fields & Non-Government fields. There is a wide scope in both  the categories.

Students can go for UPSC exams(Groups),Railways exam or can opt. for Defence, Air force, Navy, MES, DRDO ( Defence Research for Development Organization).

Under Non-Government field students have the opportunity in Customs, APCPDCL (A.P. Central Power Distribution Company Ltd.) & jobs in private companies.”

Students even have the opportunity to change their fields in which they are interested in. Unlike others Vivek Sudhanshu has a plan to change his field. He tells us about his plans, “I’m going to do 3 years course in Multi-Media in US or Canada and after that will be looking forward for Game Designing”. In this way one even have the opportunity to change his/her field and can go for M.A in Literature, Multi-Media, etc as per their interests. Banking sector is also another field where one can take an entry through  Banking P.O’s examination or Banking Clerk examination.

To make your way a bit easy some of the sites are given below to perceive more information.

“Early you aware yourself with different ways, more early you can plan.”

Sites For References:

www.chetanas.com

www.freshersworld.com

www.freshersplanet.com

www.babujobs.com

]]> http://www.vidyouth.com/2011/01/26/what%e2%80%99s-after-b-techexplorng-options/feed/ 0 http://www.vidyouth.com/2011/01/09/co-education-yes-or-no/ http://www.vidyouth.com/2011/01/09/co-education-yes-or-no/#comments Sun, 09 Jan 2011 14:13:21 +0000 Incredible Inditer http://www.vidyouth.com/?p=10707

What is Co-education ?

Co-Ed Schools credits: Prakrit Desai

Co-education is a system of educating boys and girls together. In ancient times, co-education was prevalent in Greece. Today, this system of education is there in almost all the countries of the world. It is economical. It generates a spirit of comradeship between boys and girls. They learn to respect one another. Though a few conservative people are against this system, their views do not hold ground. In ancient India also, there was no segregation between boys and girls in the Aryan society. In the modern times, co-educational system is prevalent in Europe and USA. In India ,now-a-days more and more co-educational schools and colleges are being
established.

Single sex education

Single-sex education (teaching boys and girls in separate classrooms or schools) is an old approach that’s gaining new momentum. Many students at single sex schools/colleges point to the lack of opposite sex as an enormous advantage. ‘‘Many students find it easier to focus on academics when they aren’t distracted by members of the opposite sex. Others may find it easier to participate actively in classes where everyone is the same sex. Others enjoy the camaraderie that often connects classmates at single-sex schools. But that advantage can also be a disadvantage. For one thing, student diversity suffers at a single sex school. In addition, although it may be easier for students to participate actively and do well academically at a single sex institution, the real world is not single sex. It may prove difficult for students from single sex schools to adjust to a co-ed work atmosphere after they graduate.” opines Mrs. Radha Chandrashekar, teacher  at  St. George’s Girls High School , Abids Road,  Hyderabad. However ,the advantages for single sex schools or colleges are equal to that of the disadvantages. “Boys tend to soften their competitive edge and become more collaborative in a single sex setting. They can just be boys and not worry about what the girls might think. Boys enjoying poetry and playing in an orchestra as opposed to a marching band are the kind of thing you will see in a boys’ school. Girls drop their shyness and begin to take risks in a single sex setting. They become more competitive.’’ she further adds .

Credits: Prakrit Desai

Credits: Shruti Singhal

Credits: Shruti Singhal

Credits: Prakrit Desai

Co-education: The Pros and Cons

Co-education helps the boys and girls to intermingle and understand each other well. They become more broad-minded and tolerant towards the opposite gender. They interact freely with one another, thereby overcoming hesitation and shyness. Thus, co-education leads to a healthy and harmonious relationship between boys and girls.In a co-educational school/college , boys are free to meet and talk with girls. They develop a feeling of friendship among themselves. Co-education contributes to the balanced development of the personality of boys and girls.Co-education reduces gender bias in the society. It generates a feeling of equality between both the  sexes. The feeling of male dominance may be wiped out from the society if this system of education is given importance. However, some people are opposed to the system of co-education. According to them, this system is against the Indian culture and tradition. It is also argued that girls feel more free in an institution which is meant only for girls. As such they have greater scope of developing their personality. They also participate in sports, dramatics and debates more freely. It should be acknowledged that in the fast changing society of twenty first century co-education has to become the order of the day. Today girls are entering all professions in large numbers. Many of them are heading big organizations. “I think co-education is really very important in today’s era because now there is no difference in girls and boys so even the kids will not be shy to talk or interact with each other and in their later life they can interact with each other really well. Co-education is a good source of removing backwardness in the society by from starting making then understand that girls and boys are equal” believes Rekha Devi , teacher at Kendriya Vidyalaya . “Today’s children are tomorrow’s citizens. We must encourage them to develop their personality in a free healthy atmosphere. Girls no more have to remain confined to the four walls of the house.” she further adds . Co-education will help both sexes to learn and work together for the progress of the country. Co-education generates harmonious relationship, a sense of co-operation. Thus, It’s a boon and we should encourage it .

Advertisement in newspapers, credit-sunshine recruiter

However, when one nation becomes a substantial net exporter of academic talent, a “brain drain” condition is said to occur. High level educated individuals from poor countries to the rich ones causing the so called “Brain Drain”. Unemployment is the main reason for it because students do not finds jobs soon after their studies and money could be the most important criteria. After completing their education in India, people often leave for foreign countries in search of better working environment and pay package on account of unemployment.

A common word used by today’s youth especially after their btech is GRE,

GRE books and cd's, credit-sunshine recruiter

IELTS and TOFEL. Students are attracted to the west especially to the countries like the US, UK and Canada.  West is attracting most of the Indian students mainly because of their modern developed techniques. Students want their own space specially after crossing the age of twenty, he/she wants to live and think independently. The knowledge one attains while perusing their masters in the US and India is completely different. “I want to do my masters in the US because the technology there is very much advanced and after I complete my masters the job opportunities are more in the US than in India, and money off course matters.”G. Pratyusha a final year student from Malla reddy college of pharmacy.

Today there are many coaching centers like Visu internationals, promac etc which guide the students and helps in shifting their minds. There is a lot of hype about these coaching centers in the media especially in the television and newspaper saying “Get spot admissions into top universities in UK and Canada!” There are actually many students who are getting cheating and people are cashing on it.

Students prefer to settle in the US and UK mostly because of ‘money’ as already mentioned and also because of the fear of losing valued relationships developed in host countries which indeed make their job easier. There are very few people who are willing to come back to India after finishing their masters, most of them prefer to settle in developed countries because of the job opportunities and a chance to explore their own talent. It could also be because of the ultra modern lifestyle in developed countries like US. After seeing, the affluent life of foreign countries they lose all interest in their own country. Many Indians are teaching at various US Universities and other Institutions of higher learning. Most popular destinations are English-speaking countries such as Australia, America, Canada and New Zealand.

Various coaching centres in the city,credit-sunshine recruiter

People say India is a ‘developing country’ but it will never become a developed country if today’s youth use their brains for other countries. Indians especially the youth has to understand that today India is no less than any other country. Once an individual starts thinking about his own country and ways to develop it things will never change. Economic development hampers in turn development in the fields of science, agriculture and business. Imports increase and thereby unemployment also increases. The percentage of students coming back after studying overseas is not very high and hence efforts will have to be made to reduce the number of students going out in the first place. For this, we will have to revamp our education system and also include more higher education institutions in the country so that students do not have to look for alternatives elsewhere.

It is very important to stop the phenomena of brain-drain. This will help India to use all local skilled citizens for development and proliferation. But to hold these skilled workers at their native places, it is also important to provide them enough work opportunities and living facilities. For this purpose, developed nations should help developing countries with necessary money and resources. So that each and every human of this planet can have good standard of living and each and every nation can introduce itself as a developed nation. So be an Indian, support India!

Mrs. Sheetal Tara, mother of two college going kids shares her part of agony, “Before the admissions there were issues with admissions, counselling, and the availability of seats in the so-called reputed colleges, but once the kids get admissions the real problem starts. Right from day one, we hear all types of new problems like ragging, mostly in the first year and so on, and in the complete phase studies take a back seat.”

The problems follow in the later years of engineering, which hinder interest in studies are enlisted as follows; As mentioned firstly Ragging, then a majority of time is dedicated for the preparation and arrangements for the college fests; when that gets over there is the sports day and annual day celebrations to work on too and mostly in the 3rd year or final year there are industrial tours and project trips to think and plan about, which actually turn out to be trips to hill stations and other tourist places.

Traditional Day and Other Cultural Fests Celebrated at colleges. Credits: Dynamic Warrior

Now as if these all distractions weren’t enough, there’s College elections, politics for Youth President, fights among Juniors and Seniors or between students of two colleges or even sometimes among different groups of same college, phew! The list is endless and still those students who manage to take out time to study during such hectic times are to be worshipped.

A new trend which recently stepped in is the fact that students participate in agitations out of mostly said ‘National Interest’, but which rather seem politically motivated and apprehend to protests and rallies which lead to disruption of regular studies and classes. Then again when all things tend to settle down they hit back and demand for postponement of exams as they feel they were allotted little time to prepare in lieu of the ‘Social Service’ they were carrying out during the strikes.

Vijay Bakshi, a final year student from CMEC asks, “Does education serve its purpose and really educate the student community or is it just the numbers which show an increase in the literacy level?” A fine question which arises from all the issues is whether or not students realize the importance of education. Do they really understand that a nation like ours needs to grow and develop?

Registration for College Fests. Credits : Dynamic Warrior

Meenakshi Reddy, a student from CIT, another of the troubled lot shares her part of story. “I came from Cuddapah to study and excel in academics, but with the sort of atmosphere and professionalism at colleges and the teaching standards, I realized I had to work a lot on adapting to the shocking atmosphere.”

It’s not a story of one single Meenaskhi but thousands like her who come with dreams of making it big but fail to turn them into reality. Whose fault is it? The System’s, The Administration’s, or The Faculty?

NO. It’s the students who are at fault and not realize what they want in life or why they are studying. Chinna Reddy, another student who is pursuing his B Tech from SSIT, said all he wanted was a graduation degree and when else was he supposed to enjoy his college life, and for him enjoying means “to bunk college, rag juniors, bash up those who trouble his friends et al.”

Lazed out students during strikes and protests with no classes. Credits : Dynamic Warrior

Senior Lecturer Mrs. M. Radhika from CMEC tells us, “Youth today is confused, stuck with a preconceived notion about studies. They don’t realize what is good and what is bad for them. They prefer taking the path well trodden rather than explore a new way to live life. To study and get a job is not what is important, but to learn and grow to be a better and intellectual human is the goal of life”.

Bottom line : – The Question: TO STUDY OR NOT STUDY?
Has only one solution:

“Study to Learn
Learn to Grow
Grow to become an Intellectual Human
That’s the real Goal of life.”

The human race has come a long way absorbing new colors and appreciating new flavors around, and as it moved, there were many things that it left behind, not because they of no use to them anymore, but more because they were able to build something better upon them. Imagine if the farmers still used early man’s stone tools to cut crops, or the mothers still used the hand flour mill for feeding the entire family! Our choice to take these to the next level has enhanced our productivity yet decreased our effort.

Since the shape of the future depends on the changes one adopts in the present, one would like to discover new ways and methodologies to explore the magnificence of the human brain over the conventional educational system prevailing in the society since the beginning of time!

Every child is born different, thinks and tends to express differently. But unfortunately, the current system of education is said to work more as a processing plant or a vehicle assembly line, where everyone despite of their individual skills is molded or cast into a “product that fits and sells in the market!” Thus an emerging Sachin Tendulkar ends up in an engineering college and an upcoming Lata Mangeshkar is found signing files at an office desk.

The method to record a student’s intellect has always been conservative, giving less or in fact no focus on the multi-dimensional capabilities that a human mind possesses. The traditional institutions though provide a detailed study of subjects which may be valuable to some in the careers of the students, but misses out on what it was actually meant for… To bring out the best in oneself!

A system where the best is 100 and a 0 is disgraceful; it looks more like a human’s potential is judged with a binary computer’s output. With competition more fierce than Gold Rush and books heavier than a mountain, the constant pressure from peers, teachers and family sometimes fails a child from the kind of free atmosphere he deserves. And devastatingly this less bold outlook of the society has cost many who would have been the future of this great country named India; succumbing to this enormous burden on their developing shoulders. With death toll increasing by every broadcast of the news headlines, this is indeed a “silent alarm” for those who have not yet realized the true essence of using education as the only tool to assess an individual.

“Well, the education system has us believe that an exam determines the smartness of a student. But that’s not always true. Everyday evaluation is a better idea than the one day of exam!” says Shruti Singhal, a final year student from St.Francis College for Women. “It is a matter of fact that exams are unfair to many for the reason that it is largely based on a person’s memory power. However, there are very few alternatives to it which assure hardwork and fairness, since research papers and projects can be plagiarized, paraphrased and so on. So, to strike a balance, a proper assessment must be a combination of exams and other allotted projects,” says Deepthi Paul, a third year Hyderabad based law student from Christ University, Bengaluru.

Somebody Help ME!! Credits: Whacked Out Brain

There are always two sides to a coin. It’s a harsh reality that unconventional ways of evaluation can’t cope with the pressure of India’s ever exploding population where there are thousands of deserving candidates aspiring for one single post. Examinations become indispensable when it comes to judging a person’s talent. What one needs to understand is that the system called examination is not wrong but its the general approach of people towards it that makes it appear sinister. One may have to accept this fact grudgingly, but examinations bring about a discipline in the students’ academe. Had there been no examinations, will any student remain so concerned about their studies, syllabus, attending lectures and performing in the exams?

Examinations prepare the students for the future pressures and burdens they are to face in this lightning fast world. Usually, students tend to perform better when they are exposed to competition and constructive pressure. And then, throwing light on the cases of students succumbing to the pressure of examinations and committing suicides, one needs to question that if a person is not able to bear the burden of just a mere evaluation, how would one expect him or her to face the challenges life has to offer where only the ‘fittest’ survives?

Proud Garduates Credits: Ritu Inani

Examinations recognize one’s talents, intellect and abilities and certify it to the world. One might have all the brains in the world, take pride in it and yet not perform in exams and slog for next few years to reach the destination one actually deserves. Now performing well in exams and giving career a head start seems like a decent and a much more intelligent option to consider. After all, a stitch in time saves nine! What one ought to understand is that in this performance oriented world, one needs credentials to back one’s abilities and intellect. And talking about international competition, students need to present their “certified” achievements to prove that they are no less than their American, British or Russian counterparts.

Embrace it or disown it, one has to end up writing exams to move ahead. “Nowadays it’s like party the whole year and break your heads for a few days for exams. So, it doesn’t matter – exams or no exams,” says Akruti Sanghi, a third year student from Villa Marie College. Now it totally depends on how one perceives it. Not everyone can get lucky on the day of examination, so why not choose a safer bet (slog to death)?

“In some of the cases I do accept that mugging up is of real importance, but not always. This is misinterpreted by many students, who start mugging up without even trying to understand the real cause of learning. Knowledge is to be applied. Application of mnemonics and analytics is not being applied. The members of faculty have also turned to be duty oriented and these days, it has become difficult to find a dedicated lecturer. Lack of experience or age gap, there are more number of misunderstandings in student – faculty relationship. Off late, the managements of most professional colleges have started becoming commercial. Those, who work for less salary are being absorbed no matter what knowledge they have in their respective subject”, exclaimed T. Naga Prasuna, Phd.{English literature, Malla Reddy Institute of Engineering and Technology (MRIET)}

“I’ve been teaching from the past 15 years and most often, I find my students mugging up and reproducing the same in their exams. Marks are undoubtedly, ‘the primary concern’, but the profound knowledge of the concepts is lost. If I ask a question, related to applications of the subject they read, I get surprised. They expect me to ask any question from the text book, which I know could be answered correctly or more precisely reproduced in the same way. According to me, ignorance plays a major role curbing down the probability to understand and decode things in a logical perspective”, says M. Ram Linga Reddy, professor of the Mechanical Engineering Department.

Group discussions would improve probability of understanding. Credit: Frank Einstein

“It is the responsibility of students to understand the concepts. Any college would ensure with 30% of effective guidance and the rest lies in the hands of students. This being technical education, we fix an idea that a student who is capable to reach to this stage, must have had minimum ability to understand the hard core concepts and research the same. Mugging up the concepts, will nowhere help a student until and unless he knows the exact application of the subject. As far as I know, education system from schooling follows the same principle of making students to sit and forcibly make them read. Concentration and preference is given to marks first by students and by teachers sometimes. This doesn’t mean that they have to mug up the concepts, if they really are enthusiastic, they can refer books and paraphrase them. This helps them in building knowledge about various releases”, says, M. Veera Venkata Subramanya Prasad, Asst. Professor of ECE Department, Malla Reddy Institute of Engineering and Technology.

“We expect to gain knowledge from the faculty. We are paying fee to college and, in turn, we expect the outcome. To my surprise, I hardly find a dedicated faculty who works not for sake of salary, but, for the sake of development of individuals. Most of my faculty dictates notes which are a direct copy from texts. They do not clearly illustrate of what the concept is related to. We expect them to give explanations with examples, but I’ve not seen this so far. Group discussions will help to sort this problem out but it is a tedious process. Exams demand marks, you score less and you would be preferred less no matter whatever knowledge you have in a subject. The more you are able to memorize, the best will be your result”, says Lingesh, a student of Malla Reddy Institute of Engineering and Technology.

Use technology to be a good techie. Credit: Frank Einstein

“Learning for the sake of learning is a bad idea. One must have hunger to learn something. Mugging up will not be  benificial at all. Though you have outstanding scores on certificates, yet you will have to face the world which is highly competitive these days. In order to sustain the competition, one must start thinking on his own rather depending on others. Usage of technology in a positive way ( a mighty power- internet) serves as key to improve one’s intelligence. Constantly getting updated with new in technology would serve fine. Determination, love and affection towards the subject is sufficient for one to channelise one’s own talent”, says Anjaneyulu, a student of Malla Reddy Institute of Engineering and Technology.

“My daughter sits in front of the book for hours together. She is topper in her college and can answer anything if questioned from her book. My method of studying is different. There must be a change brought up in the education system”, expressed Mr. Purushotam, a parent.

“Indian education system is not good. We do not emphasize on practicality of the subject. It’s becoming difficult for us to judge of what category of students are ought to be absorbed. We interview people and at times we observe that interviewee try reproducing or recollecting the answer when questioned and are fired”, says Narasimha Rao, Administrative Manager, Infotrack Systems.

There are many ways to curb the problem down. One of the ways is emphasizing on practical applications of the subject. Group discussions and general awareness add up to improvise one’s own ability to perceive things in a better fashion.

Science and technology plays a predominant role in human life. Introduction of new technologies inspires man kind to build another of the same kind with specialized features.  XILINX version 11.0 is the latest released software into the market. This software is used specially by Electronic Engineers, who are into software development. “Interface of the software is of high standard but is easily understandable when one pays attention towards learning the tools”, explained Mr. Srinivas, Cypress Semiconductor.

A one day, student- faculty workshop, was organized by department of Electronics and Communication Engineering of Malla Reddy Institute of Engineering and Technology. The workshop was held on 20th March, 2010 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The event was very simple. Software development labs of ECD (Electronics and Communications Department) were equipped with XILINX version 9.0. The improved version of XILINX software was explained to the faculty and students.

The workshop was divided into four sessions. In the first session, basics of VLSI, VHDL designs were explained to the students and faculty. The session was interactive. Students took an active part in the session.  In order to attract the participation, Guest lecturer Mr. Srinivas, offered goodies to those students who answered his questions. One of the typical question was, “What do you mean by IP?” while explaining the concept of Microprocessors (which is one of the branches covered in the course of ECE). Most of the students mistook that to be “Internet Protocol” and replied the same. There was a huge laughter from faculty and guest lecturer. The actual answer to that question was “Intellectual Property”. This was supposed to be the basic memory element of every microprocessor.

Enthusiasm was prevalent throughout the presentation. Students felt that they have got a wonderful opportunity to learn new things and know market status. “The process in which we need to understand the technology was clearly explained. Most of the new logics, logical development was elaborated. I’m thankful to my department for organizing a technical workshop for the students”, shared Sri Harsha Mukkavilli, student of ECE, MRIET.

“Importance of Embedded systems and designs is of much importance. Workshop has made my work less. I’d been collecting material from various sources and today I’m happy that I’ve got everything at my desk. I was working on this from two years and the workshop has really filled in my purpose”, asserts Janga Manasa, student of ECE, MRIET.

Slide show at the Workshop for students and faculty of ECD, MRIET. Credits: Frank Einstein

“Workshops help us to know the best from experienced people of concerned fields. The idea of a faculty-student workshop is indeed a good idea. It is important for faculty also to learn new so that class room lectures would be interesting”, opines Yarram Mounika Reddy, student of ECE, MRIET.

“The workshop has helped us to know much better. I didn’t new these concepts or these releases into market. These workshops act as refreshers. I’ve enjoyed the session. It was very interesting though. I felt happy when students raised doubts, which I didn’t get. This shows the interest among students to learn the new. It is very important not only for students but also faculty like us to keep track of the advancements in technology. I’d suggest students to use the internet services for the best uses to enhance the knowledge”, said Assistant Professor in Digital Signal Processing, Mr. Devendar Reddy of MRIET.

Having seen the feedback from students and faculty of the department, principal of the college Dr. K. Venkateshwarulu, announced that there would be at least 2 workshops every year for students as well as faculty. He felt happy to see the response from students’ side and promised students that he would support from the management side in organizing such workshops in the college. He also said that this time they would invite other colleges also for the workshops taking place in the campus.

“I am just wondering if the questions I marked are really correct as in many mock exams I wasn’t getting all the answers to the questions but the final CAT I was able to find my answer in the options. I don’t know whether I am right or the option is put to mislead people like me”, says Katie who was half prepared for CAT but wished she prepared well as it turned out to be very easy.

“Another tension apart from exam going online was telangana bandh in the city which left us in a fix whether the exam will be conducted as per schedule as many colleges were closed. But thankfully there wasn’t much problem except for lack of bus transport”, says Rahul who appeared for the exam.

“My exam went on smooth and there was no problem at all during the slot I wrote to anyone in my lab. Yes, there were some problems in the first two days but this can be continued with necessary measures and resources. The online papers were quite easy to compensate for the first time. I had prepared for this exam well and I did quite well. I am just keeping my fingers crossed and hoping to get a call from the IIMs”, says Rohit who appeared for CAT for the second time and is hoping to pursue his MBA as he has already got two years of job experience.

The server breakdown had created confusion all over for all the B-school aspirants. “The first time I wrote, the system got hanged in between the exam for which the proctors said it was a virus attack and later I was given slot on another day to appear again and I end up getting a paper that was very tough compared to the first paper. I am against all those who are fine with this problem giving it a lame reason that it is being conducted for the first time , we all had written BITSAT exam , that was also online but there wasn’t any problem , why now ? They themselves cannot manage the exam and they are the institutes here to teach us about management of business!” says frustrated Karthik.

“This is literally playing with the careers of the students. How can they be so careless and coolly say it as a virus or server problem. The whole one year I put in for my preparation goes all in vain. I am planning to write it again the coming year and I guess I have no other option”, says disappointed Mahesh

CAT 2009 goes online was the buzz till a few days back. But, the reality is CAT 2009 was caught in a mouse trap and left both students and IIMs perplexed!