Post exams blues (of the deepest shade)

[arunbg]

Here in India after the 12th grade we have to take about 5 or more qualifying examinations for admission to professional colleges ( that is after a gruelling month of final board exams).

I had opted for engineering and thought I would get through quite easily.
I topped my class and everything was going fine. My only worry was with my chemistry which was definitely below par ( I just can't memorise my eqns properly) which I thought could be made with my math and physics.
My board exams went fine (with the exception of chemistry).
Then I joined a crash program for the entrance examinations and did reasonably well there too.(how much I sufferred the past 4 months !)
These exams consist of a bewildering no of MCQs with the smallest of time limits. Get stuck on a question and that's it.Your life is pretty much ruined.
So I took the exams one by one .The first one didn't go well. Well I thought I would do better on the next one. Nope . In a similar fashion all my exams turned out unsatisfactory (with the last and the worst one written today ).

I don't know what is the matter with me. It is not usual of me to panic during exams.The worst thing is that I am able to do around 85 - 90 % of most papers given the time . My chemistry has come back to haunt me.
Now I'm scared, very scared . In a country where around 300,000 students compete for about 2000-3000 seats , I am positive that I won't get into a good college nor get the courses I wish.
Is my future ruined? Only the results will tell .

The worst thing about it is that I have disappointed my parents and well wishers. It is as if everything bad that could have happened has indeed happened all at once. If I don't get an admission , I will have to waste a whole year of my life trying to "relearn" what I have already been learning for the past 1 year , and attempt the exam next year (no going to school).

I am clueless as to what I should do .
Evo, I need one of your magical hugs.


Completely depressed,
Arun

 

[J77]

Sounds like a harsh exam system.

I hate systems like that - in fact, all exam systems which push, push, push, always making you compare yourself to others. Though with your figures of candidates to seats, it's probably the easiest way for colleges to pick - doesn't make it right tho'

Guess you've just got to wait and see what happens.

Though don't feel like you've wasted a year of your life - I guess it's easy to say when you're older, but what's the rush anyway?

Good luck with the results - and if they're not so good, don't panic. Take stock and look at your options.

 

[Curious3141]

India has one of the toughest, most competitive education systems in the world. I have quite a few friends who ended up in IIT (the rough equivalent of MIT in the US), and I know how they suffered.

 

[arunbg]

Actually, it is said that it is tougher to get into an IIT than getting into Harvard or even MIT for that matter (seriously) . Anyway I have ruined my IITJEE exams and have little hope there.
Feeling terribly depressed right now.

Arun

 

[Astronuc]

Is my future ruined?

No! Your future is what you make it, regardless of the performance on any test or set of tests.

Don't dwell on failure, but learn from it, and move on - look ahead.

Meanwhile, relax - go for a walk, enjoy the sunshine, listen to some nice music, do something positive.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

I agree with Astronuc.

Also, things are almost never as bad as they seem, and nothing is all good or all bad. Life's greatest disappointments often lead to life's greatest opportunities.

 

[arunbg]

Thanks guys, I feel a bit better right now.

Currently waiting for Evo's hug.

 

[scorpa]

Do you actually have your exam results back yet? If you don't try not to worry about it to much yet, which I know is hard to do. I had many an exam this year where I was absolutely convinced I had failed and ended up doing quite well, don't give up hope yet.

 

[hellraiser]

I know the Indian education system is really stupid. They concentrate on your speed only, how fast are you able to solve a sequence of stupid question, and in case of examinations other than IIT-JEE like AIEEE etc. , how much you can memorise? But the truth is that a very intelligent student may be slow in solving questions. Isn't this true?

The system needs an overhaul, etc.This sort of thing appears occassionly in news, but they don't do anything about it. Dunno when they will learn it.

Anyway don't worry about the results. I too feel the same way. Chemistry was my difficult topic too. The IIT toppers are < I can't find a word/phrase>, I know one who is really intelligent, he started preparing for it since 8th. What did it cost him starting studying so early? Only his health. And if that quota system comes into effect it will become more difficult for us to get admission. Imagine an institution where 50 percent of the seats are already occupied. Why does the government not stop it? Obviously for votes. If the government has its way the system will be in place, even against the protests. It has happened earlier too.

Learning all the organic mechanisms, inorganic reactions, colors, properties, it is damn right difficult and that too for an 18 yr old.

Just keep a cool head. Don't worry about the results. I am trying to do that too. Try playing games on computer, it really takes your mind away.

 

[eep]

Found out today I got a D in Thermal Physics/Statistical Mechanics which means I have to retake it. The annoying part is I know I can learn the material, I just have huge time issues. My academic career at Berkeley has been shakey - I went from top of my class in community college to struggling. I do have to take into account that my fiance was pregnant my first semester (resulting in taking all incompletes last semester) and adjusting to being a father/physics student at age 19 this semester. At least now I know what I need to do to manage my time. On the upside, instead of getting a low passing grade in Thermal Physics I can now get an A next semester! I have 2 more finals then I'm free for the summer. Don't stress too much about grades and such, if you're passionate about what you're learning it doesn't matter what school/grades you get when all the dust settles. Try to appreciate the little things in life!

 

[arunbg]

Yes, hellraraiser I completely agree.

All exams other than IITJEE are more bent at testing a candidate's memory than intelligence. I am told that the toppers on obtaining the question paper blindly mark at least 30 out of 120 questions without any effort as they have already seen these questions earlier and memorised the answer beforehand. They have little knowledge of the underlying theory ( which explains why board exam toppers don't do so well in such exams ). There just isn't enough time. You should take a look at the questions that come for the state entrance exams. They are pathetic. The only factor is the time limit.With the toppers studying at least 13 hours and in the process working out a 100 questions, everyday for the past two years at least, us mere mortals don't stand a chance.And I don't want to repeat and lose a whole year.

Oh well, it's all over now .
I am sure this is not the case in other countries.
I'll be willing to share any such similar stories from members.

And I'll try playing video games.