Children's Day Special!

Hi guys, gals, I am talking to you. Have a moment? You better! Ever felt the futility of going to school daily. Remember the scorn you felt for your teachers? Ever yearned for the day you would be free from the school routine. Want to make it big tomorrow? Yes? Then you better read on. You might just be lucky to retrace your steps and save yourself a life of misery.

Read this first. School is not what you think. It is not a place where you go through the daily drill for ten (or twelve) painful years so you may enjoy the freedom of college. Schooling is many things put together. Yes, it is an institution for education and learning. But it also where students develop their personality and find their competitive advantage relative to other students. It is a place where you are taught to treat everyone equal. Where you find your way through truth, lies, hearsay and rumours. A place where your character is built and put to the test. Perhaps not many among you appreciate that your school record matters years in to the future – sometimes at your interview for the first job.

You would think that your teachers would advise you what's right and what's wrong. Some do, but most don't. Most teachers (and some parents) allow students to fail, not only because an early failure can be a lesson and an eye opener, but also to 'sift' the brilliant and the good from the lazy and the rotten when it comes to entry in to colleges and higher institutions. Having said that, treat your teacher
like a friend, not a monster with a mandate to punish you. (S)he can provide invaluable advice and guide you during difficult times.

Now for the those secrets that not even your teacher dare mention to you. First and despite everything you hear to the contrary, the public exam at the 10th is a test of your entire schooling to that date. It is not merely a exam that you get over with after practicing mock drills n number of times. The public exam is meant to test your basics and fundamental understanding of various disciplines and 'place' you among your peers; it tests language, vocabulary, grammar, concepts, writing skills, logical thinking, reasoning skills, reading habits, (memory, as much as we dislike it) and of course, knowledge. Further, just as the board conducts the public exam, the school conducts its own private tests over the years such as a cheating test, hygiene, your behavior with female students, responses to sexual stimuli, discrimination of various sorts, and so on. The bottom line, then, is that there are no short cuts. The student who prepares for the exam actually fails it. The truly competent are those who ace every day at school and home!

Second, your mistakes are noted, if not by the school authorities, by other students and those who are on the look out for failures and easy prey (you see them loitering outside the school compound). In the dog-eat-dog world that India is, every mistake, error, misdemeanor or sin is recorded and exploited for gain, sometimes decades later by those on the other side – be they the government, the industry or the religion. Remember, there is a way to find out what you do behind close doors even if no one is around. So, be warned, especially if you are staking a big future. Note unusual statements, coincidences or occurrences, and yes, mention them to someone – friend, teacher, relative, or even a stranger.

Three: Religion. Many schools are run by religious institutions. While most genuinely intend public service and the upliftment of students, the motives of the rest are not so transparent. Some value the tuition money more than they value the education of students. Others play 'religious games' of the sort you would never suspect. Why, I suspect there are those schools that would like to delay you a few years, or worse, recruit some 'sadhus or nuns' among you! Be warned!

Four: Don't presume that what the teacher teaches you or even the syllabus is sufficient. With students more than willing to cooperate, teachers can always get away by not teaching even the required minimum, forget the supplemental reading/exercises. Remember the lessons and exercises your teacher skipped? She meant that you should not! It's not what they teach you at school, but what you learn over and beyond the school that eventually matters in life. Use the school library. Your librarian notes the regular users! Take an extra hour away from that weekly movie, the friend at the corner of the street, cartoon time on TV or bedtime and put it in to your books. It could open a fabulous future you'd never dream of!

Five: When you read, read from the book, not from the teacher's notes or the guide. When you read a book, the author shares his/her brain, his insights with you in a way no guide or teacher's notes can. Also, do not take books and their authors for granted. Books are only as good as the authors. And authors are humans too; sometimes all too human! Even authors make mistakes – unintentional, well meaning and intentional. Read from two or more textbooks on the subject. That will give you additional perspective. Hold on to your past year books. You may need to refer them.

Six: Do not get emotionally involved or angered with schoolmates of either sex. Let school be a place for education, personality development and building platonic friendships. You cannot afford to get emotionally entangled at a time when every page read and every problem solved adds thousands, if not lakhs to your 'present worth'. Besides, you should have something to look forward to in your college years and beyond when you have a wider circle of friends, if you know what I mean!

Seven: Don't ever presume superiority over lower class students and mock them or accept your inferiority to seniors. In the cruel world that we live in, juniors sometimes upstage us and become the bosses of the future. At other times, you may outleap highly regarded seniors. Treat everyone equal and respect them for what they are, remembering at all times that you are second to none.

And now for some miscellany. If you haven't already heard this from your parents, here it is:
Comprehend what is taught and use your own words to write the answers, not your teacher's. After all, you too might have to teach one day! Don't ever cheat. You are wrong if you think you can fool the teacher. The only person you cheat is yourself, and that too, of opportunities and wealth in the future. Talk in the medium used at school, not your mother tongue or local language. And yes, all exams and tests must be fully answered, correctly, if only after the graded sheets are returned. Read the newspapers. They increase your knowledge of the world, help you form opinions and keep you aware of what is happening today and how it will impact your world tomorrow. Here is a tip: if you must memorize, perhaps the best way to do so is to read and then write down the points on paper. Finally, a word on health. Eat what your mother packs for lunch. Nobody beats her when it comes to your health. If you need to snack, eat only wellknown packaged food and healthy drinks. Do not destroy your stomach linings at an early age. And here is a gentle reminder from your parents: no fooling around with your friend's flashy, muscular motorbike or the 'dada' who sells the white stuff at lunch or after school. You just might lose your right to return home! Oh yes, I am reminded. Did you ever see the 'Don't smoke or I'll blow your head away' sign on way to school?

No, I don't guarantee you a million if you follow these words of advice. But I am sure you will be the better for reading it. Take it from someone who missed big, nothing is more costly than experience or sane advice ignored!

Now, where is that bubble gum I was chewing on? Did I stick it to your ....? Gotcha!