Students’ Speak: Year drop or not, choose wisely
By: Samarth Agarwal
During the year when we clear our high school examination, various thoughts related to college, secondary board exams, coaching, foundation and courses, etc. come in our mind and these thoughts sometimes disturb us a lot.
After the declaration of results of high school examinations, some students are not even allowed to opt for their favorite subjects despite having a good overall percentage, because of their low marks in that particular subject.
They are the students who face the toughest situation to achieve their ambition and unwillingly go for an alternate subject. Many other students take admissions as correspondence so that they can give more time in coaching to prepare for competitive exams. Almost all coaching centres follow competitive exam patterns and prepare the students according to that only.
Different boards and different possibilities
As a result, the student who is on the verge of securing a seat in reputed college fails to get it as his board percentage is less than 75 percent which means he is not fulfilling the eligibility criteria of the college. Some change their schools because of boards; as ICSE board syllabus is broader in comparison to CBSE and the latter is considered to be the easiest. These students get a plus point because an ICSE student has more capability to cover the broad syllabus in a short time than a CBSE student. Hence in the 11th class, their burden will be less and therefore they can give time to coaching as well as for self-studies.
Everybody is having a strategy for competitive exams and working accordingly to get admission to their dream colleges. Several students go for a private institute after not getting their desired colleges or branch. Very few of them drop a year and again prepare for next year's examinations. Some students don't want any gap in their studies but due to their parents or some emotional state, they are forced to do so while some are there who believe in themselves that they can reappear for examination next year and will secure a seat. They are compelled to take admission in any other college due to the financial conditions of the family.
Role of parents
Parents play an important role in these situations, they must not compare their child with anyone, friends, cousins, and etc. They should motivate and encourage their child in his decision and provide necessary support whenever required. In the same way, I suggest a student should understand his family conditions properly and should not look for his benefit every time. You should analyse your capability and ask yourself some questions - are you ready for a year drop? will you be able to perform well next year?
Dropping a year is not a bad idea since the situation for everyone is different, so you need to take steps after discussing with your family, considering the present scenario of the colleges, your goal, etc. The notion that a student from a reputed college will get a package having seven to eight digits is entirely a myth. Also, if talking about some big government organisation, most of the employees are not from reputed colleges or a rank holder student.
All types of students have a chance to work in organisations only through hard work and determination. I will agree with one thing that the reputed college's student will get the real-world exposure earlier and that too in major companies.
Recognise your interest
If your college does not have such collaboration with the reputed companies, you do not need to worry. There are lots of opportunities waiting for you, you just need to be active but first, recognise your interest and start improving it. You can do so by participating in competitions, working on a project, and learning skills in online platforms, etc.
Some students face troubles while choosing the colleges for their higher studies. I will suggest that they choose their local city only (if having financial problems in their family) otherwise they can go outside the station for higher studies. First, make a list of colleges which you think are suitable for you. Second, try connecting with their alumni, it's hard to find but nothing is impossible in this small world. There are many social sites, you just need to search the colleges and connect with their alumni.
Colleges provide scholarships to the eligible student, the student applying for the admission must check the terms and conditions of the scholarship. Every institution has two modes for admission; online and offline. Students living nearby the college must visit once and ensure the facilities and faculties as well.
Colleges do not have control over our future, it's students who decide whether to enlighten it or to destroy it.
About the Author:
Samarth Agarwal is pursuing B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering from ICFAI University, Dehradun. He is doing research work on 5G antennas and has published one research paper in a UGC approved journal. He is also a content writer and freelance antenna designer.
