Recently, during a webinar, the answer of a Plus Two student named Ashwin to a question about a favourite school and teachers left me shocked.
After mentioning the name of a teacher, this is what he said as the reason for liking him: “He ensures minimum marks. He gives no advice, and there is no unnecessary talk. He is the only reason I got a rank in the entrance exam.”
It took me by surprise as I was expecting him to tell me about someone like Elizabeth Varkey, my high school teacher, who would even enquire affectionately in a low voice, “Have you had your food, child?”
There is a reason to say this at a time when the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) results have just been announced. Even the smartest students don’t understand the basic learning that what is needed is not the illusion of competition, but competitiveness, the ability to compete.
Students who are sure of admission also feel disappointed when they don’t get the rank they expect. That is the danger of competition.
Instead of succumbing to the pressure resulting from trying to constantly stand first in class, mindfully 'donate' that rank to someone else at the beginning itself. And when you get a rank, fold your hands and accept it humbly.
There are those who say before every exam, “This exam will determine your future.” I also used to hear this when I was young and it used to leave me confused. But in the seventh year of civil service, after writing many exams to seek promotion, there is one fact that I have realised. There will be exams throughout the career. Each exam is a tool to further improve your career, a trial test that makes you wait until the next exam.
When I failed the civil service exam after the first attempt, I thought I would not write it anymore. But when I examined the question paper, I found that I had failed the exam by just three marks.
Along with the job I had then, I wrote the exam with greater vigour and cleared it. I still love that first defeat. Because the motivation to study for the second time came from that failure.
So, remember, tomorrow's winners are hidden among those who failed in this exam.
(The author is a civil service officer and writer).