India’s Competitive Exams
We need to get over the craze.
The relation between results and hard work is not a linear one as we were taught and fed from the beginning from some motivational lines or from any successful person — it was never one.
“Work hard with all your might day and night and pass that one exam you and your parents have been craving and life is sorted.”
Let me tell you:
This is one of the biggest illusory bubbles you have been kept into and mind you it happens at such extremes only in India.
The craze of any competitive exam, of a government job, of any influencer, YouTuber, sportsperson, of any idol, god and all the petty things of no importance, which rather seem to me, have occupied so much importance in our lives.
Our idol-worship, herd mentality and craze have exceeded and ingrained deep within our minds just like the clutches of the witch that entangle and control the protagonist’s mind.
Life becomes no easier after you get into a top college.
I am currently a student at NIT Durgapur, one of the top NITs in India, and everything is not jolly and jovial as you see in reels or videos, to be frank, in some of the terms, even worse than the JEE journey.
Most people here in my college struggle to find jobs, and though they have a college tag or brand name, it takes them late to realise just having a tag does not make them an asset to the company
Many of those who get into top colleges struggle with life later on with pay packages or in their jobs and not to talk about the cutthroat competition and lingering insecurities that make you insensitive around the world and your own emotions.
All you can feel and measure are just some numbers that will do nothing but make you more hollow from the inside.
Numbers start revolving around your whole life CGPA, placement package, club budget, Number of PORs and all sorts of things that transform into an endless loop. Emotions, enjoyment and life don't matter to you.
Don’t fret too much on clearing the exam.
I say this to you with utmost belief and sincerity: nothing happens if you can’t crack jee or neet, if you keep working on yourself in ways you want to in college, you will go on to do well, and life will unfold in magical ways.
And for God’s sake don’t idealize characters from web series who drink, play games all day, have a girlfriend and are still able to crack jee mains reaching a NIT.
Doesnt happen in real life this way.
At the same time, don’t endorse the so-called success tips of those who say they worked 10 to 12 hours daily with 2 hours of sleep and were always studying …blah blah…
they are probably going to suffer much more in college and life later on (topic for another day) there is absolutely no need of being on the treadmill 24/7 and always doing things especially at such young age of life. Just do your prime best and let the rest go.
Take care of your health, do not try to unnecessarily exert yourself to the point of falling sick or the point where your mental health is affected.
Take breaks, watch some standup comedy, go out have a walk in nature observing the beautiful flowers and the lush green grasses or the refreshing wind blowing through your body.
After all, these things will just add more quality to your work and life. You are in this for the long haul.
You don’t want to be the person who cracked it all but has mental health completely broken to pieces and a crawling fear of insecurities and rush and is now questioning the importance of life.
Also, understand no matter how hard you have worked or scored well in mock, there’s still a high chance of you not being selected. Don’t put undue obsessive pressure on clearing the exam or getting the tag.
I have some of my friends working hella hard giving much of their health to the ashes but still were not able to crack the paper.
This is life.
This was how it was always meant to be.
Hard work and results DO not share a linear relationship.
Whatever needs to happen will happen, and maybe for the good.
Thank you so much for reading. Have a great day ahead. Lots of love
