How I did my subject selection for 11th Grade: Trishan Dollny

I gave my 10^th board exams in March 2018, and for a while I felt as if I was on top of the world – stress free, soaring like an eagle in the skies. It was bliss! Little did I know another obstacle was all set to capture the soaring eagle by its talons. This evil was the (in) famous task of subject selection! At the age of fifteen-sixteen the world expected me to know what I wanted to do with for the rest of my life! 

In my heart I knew I wanted to be a footballer, but in my mind I knew how hard it was and that anything could happen in sports. One could be thrown off by an injury or simply by people who can buy their way into a team. It’s sad to see how hard it is to achieve your dream but the truth is bitter. I realised that I would love to do Engineering and then become a car modifier. However, I also realised that I have a love for money, guns and crazy parties. So I decided that I would also love to become an arms dealer or own a chain of night clubs. 

However, one thing about which I was sure was that I needed to learn well and prepare myself for any of these professions, and this is what I did. When it was time to choose my subjects, I picked the craziest combination for any CBSE student. I took Physics, Mathematics (which would allow me to become an Engineer in a foreign country like Singapore), Economics, Psychology (which would allow me to pursue Management and Financial psychology), and English which was compulsory for all students in my school. 

In short, I realised that before making any subject a choice, one must have a ‘clear vision’ of what he/she wants to do, or be for the rest of his/her life. Once that vision is engraved in one’s mind then work backwards and see which subjects would help you in achieving your goals. The whole process is a rollercoaster as it will last a life-time – not to mention what might happen if this so-called ‘clear vision’ of future dreams changes over time! Good luck to all of us fifteen-sixteen year olds going through this roller-coaster ride, my advice – just follow your heart along with a little rational thinking and brainstorming with counsellors, parents, and friends.     

About the Author

I am Trishan Dollny, 16 years of age, and an 11^th grader at Shiv Nadar School, Noida. In future, I see myself as a car modifier because I love fast cars and powerful engines.