Credits: Mugdha
Sometimes a lot is not enough. Your deep rooted old-school faith in distressed times could not be enough. You could be determined and hardworking and honest but sometimes that is not enough too. And in today’s day and age, the one thing you could have in abundance but it still wouldn’t be enough is marks/grades/scores. I had always thought that numbers were supposed to make our lives easier. You could subtract, you could add, you could multiply and you could divide numbers and solve problems. But considering the competitive world we live in today the only kind of numbers that matter and that everyone is interested in, is marks. Marks have only added to our problems, subtracted the happy times, multiplied our worries and divided us into smart and stupid. It seems to be a thing of the past, the caste system, considering we are ruled by the marks system today, where nothing is in order and everyone is exposed and vulnerable.
Neither is any attention paid to a 79% scorer nor is a 97% scorer too happy with their result. And all those who belong within this range are like the middle class of the economy- not too rich to live life grand and neither too poor to be entitled free electricity and water. They are forgotten and not looked out for. Parents do their best at being parents and teach their kids right from wrong. They tell them often that what matters more is friendship, respect, love and honesty. That no matter what they set out to do in their lives, they must undertake every task with vigor and accountability. They share posts on social media that tell their kids to be brave, strong and self-confident. They talk of themselves very highly amongst their social groups for being the kind of parents who don’t care much for numbers because numbers don’t define a person. But at the end of that day, it’s all a scam. Each of these parents is a double faced adult who can’t bear the thought of their child being the second best or not performing as well as the kid next door. Now that is sad and highly unfortunate.
Seven years ago, when I was in the 10th grade, life didn’t revolve around anything else but the much dreaded Board Examinations. It wasn’t a piece of cake for me to gain admission in the school of my choice, but fortunately it also wasn’t impossible, having cleared the examination with flying colours. Two years ago when my kid sister’s results were declared I came about to experience the process all over again and it only left me worried and concerned and wondering. All that time had passed but we hadn’t made any significant progress. I met a friend of my sisters’ who had scored high grades, straight A's. That sounds wonderful, right? But apparently, it was not enough. She hadn’t had time to celebrate and savor the fruits of her labor. Instead, running around like a mad man accompanied by her parents, she was busy making visits to schools and junior colleges, hoping to seek admission in the best institute suited to her future aspirations. You would wonder that having scored better than good grades this kid would have had some respite, that she would be the one who would end up with choices, but that hadn’t been the case.
There are very many students and not so many schools and colleges, at least in comparison. No school has to wait for you to pick it- they’ve got enough standing in line, who would give anything to get in. And therefore the students have lost all bargaining power; they got no upper hand and no say in whether the school/college wants them or not.
Students work hard, set out with utter determination to achieve goals they have set for themselves and work diligently, day and night. However, when results are declared and they realize that all of their hard work has paid off, they begin to think that now is the time when maybe they can breath a little easy and rejoice and relax but that is not what happens. The second you finish one rat race, you are slated to enter another one and to your surprise it is only harder and more strenuous.
We often criticize the system but do little to change its ways or ours. We need to move forward, together and united, so that effective and appropriate changes can be brought about, which benefit all and lay an end to all of our woes-both big and small. After all, numbers were meant to ease our lives, and not complicate the already complicated.
Do that which keeps your heart beating a little faster.
I understand that the above does not particularly paint a rosy picture or leave you inspired and energized. It is because I do not wish to veil what is true- it does get difficult, it is challenging and this time will demand and need for you to be your strongest. But that is the point- this time in your life is nothing else but testing times, which too will pass. Not letting your scores take over your life and who you are is what your fight must be about.
Therefore, for all students out there, especially those who will soon be taking important examinations, scores of which matter, remember that your peace of mind, your passion, your ambitions, your interests and your life, all that matters so, so much more. I wish you all the very best!