Career & Psychological Queries of Young Students
New Delhi, June 16 - I am 17 years old and consider myself shy and childish. I think I am not mature enough for my age. My friends often keep me out of their interactions. Even my family treats me as a child. Comparing myself with peers, I find myself less important. What should I do to overcome this problem? It is interfering in my focus on studies.
-Suhas Goel
I really appreciate the fact that you have come out and are discussing this matter. First of all, you need to try and understand why people around you consider you immature. Some young people are late developers while some develop early. That's perfectly normal. If you feel less knowledgeable about growth and sexual matters and if that's the r
eason your friends keep you away, enriching your knowledge by reading up, interacting with a counselor or an adult you can trust will be of great help. Another reason why people might be reluctant to share things with you could be because they have doubts about your sense of confidentiality. This may be because you might have revealed their secrets. The really good part is that you have a high degree of self-awareness. It is wise to be assertive by being firm in your opinions and actions without being rigid or hostile. About your being gullible or introverted, do not believe everything that people say. Move on and diversify your interests. If you have a flair for music, join a music class in your spare time. Alternatively, join a hobby club where you will meet new people who share your interests. This will make it easier for you to cultivate new friendships. Develop an interest in helping others and you will find that your introverted nature is not a problem. Life is all about exploring new horizons, isn't it? Smile your way through life and believe in yourself.
I have just joined Class XI and wish to choose space exploration as a career. I have dreams of making it to NASA but my biggest problem is that I am not good in mathematics. I just can't comprehend formulae, algebra and logarithms. I find physics interesting but am again stuck when it comes to solving numericals. Is this due to a problem with my mental ability?
-Saheed Khan
Certainly. One can excel in maths by taking an interest and fostering a desire to do well, and finding a good teacher to clarify concepts. It is possible that you are missing a proper guide who can teach and motivate you to study. This person could also help simplify the complexities of the subject so that you do not doubt your mental make-up. Seventeen years is definitely not late and you can certainly learn to grasp the subject and move toward your ultimate goal. You should equip yourself with learning strategies that you could use in the classroom and at home. You must understand that a student like you needs extra help because many conventional teaching methodologies may not work for you. One can have a discussion in this regard with the faculty and customize your learning with mathematics-centered study skills. Good luck!
Author: Jitendra Nagpal (HT Horizons)
Date: 18th June, 2010
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