Hi everyone, I would like to divide my story into 2 phases: intro, and journey.
Intro:
I've always been energetic, multitasking, and dynamic, deeply immersed in sports, music, and academics. In the 10th grade, as the COVID-19 lockdown disrupted our lives, my school transitioned to an online learning mode. Simultaneously, my parents encouraged me to join a local coaching centre specializing in preparing students for competitive exams like NTSE and Olympiads. It was during this time that I first learned about the JEE exam. Interestingly, we passed the 10th grade without having to take board exams, which relieved us of any academic pressure.
My mother taught at the same school I attended, Mayo College. This meant my tuition was covered, and it was an outstanding institution that offered a wealth of opportunities. I cherished my time there, so leaving the school to pursue a 'dummy' was never considered.
In April, I attended my school's classes, and during the summer vacation, I enrolled in a local coaching program, attending their online classes. However, as July rolled around, I found myself struggling to juggle both commitments. Come August, my school held its first set of exams, and I discovered that the syllabus being covered in school and the coaching program differed significantly. Faced with this dilemma, I had a heartfelt discussion with my parents and brother the night before the exams. I presented them with two options: either take a gap year since my school did not offer this option, or leave the coaching program altogether. I expressed my difficulty in managing both. After hours of deliberation, we collectively decided that the best course of action was for me to leave my current school and enrol in another local school while taking a gap year, marking the commencement of my journey towards my goal, which I refer to as "jee."
Journey:
My coaching initially conducted online classes but shifted to offline in October. During this time, I was genuinely enthusiastic about studying, paying close attention to every word my teachers said. Many of my teachers were exceptionally supportive and skilled. However, despite my efforts, I often received low marks, which led my mom to question why I wasn't getting the top rank and why my marks were not higher. This created a tremendous amount of pressure for me.
As time went on, I came to realize that my transition from 10th to 11th grade brought with it a shift in the complexity of the topics. The subjects became more challenging, and it was natural for the grades to reflect this difficulty. It became clear to me that we were still holding on to the expectations set in the 10th grade, where topics were relatively easier. Additionally, there was the struggle of parents not fully grasping the increased difficulty of the curriculum.
In an attempt to resolve this situation, I opened up to one of my teachers about my concerns. He kindly intervened and spoke to my mom, which ultimately led to some improvements in our understanding of the situation and the pressures I was facing.
In the blink of an eye, days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Time seemed to fly by, marked by numerous highs and lows. Eventually, I found myself in the 12th grade. At the end of the 11th grade, I was leading my class, and everything appeared to be going smoothly. However, as I progressed into the 12th grade, I encountered a new challenge: distractions from YouTube, Instagram, and other forms of social media.
While distractions weren't entirely absent during the 11th grade, they reached a new level of intensity in the 12th grade. I found myself falling into a relentless cycle, one that ensnared many of my peers in the coaching program as well. It went something like this: First, you succumb to distractions like excessive use of social media, which leaves you feeling disheartened and disinclined to study. Consequently, your academic performance suffers, making you feel even worse. This negative spiral repeats itself, creating a persistent cycle.
I firmly believe that the only way to break free from this cycle is through sheer determination. Sometimes, it's crucial to push yourself to study for at least a day, even if you're not at your most efficient. The key is to resist the temptation of escaping through social media and regain control over your focus and productivity.
In January 2023, I took the JEE Mains session-1 and achieved a percentile of 96.2. Despite this seemingly decent score, I wasn't satisfied, and I was determined to work even harder for the JEE Mains session-2. In the midst of this, I also had to deal with my board exams, which I managed to navigate fairly well.
However, when the results for JEE Mains session-2 were out, I scored 91.8, which left me devastated. Additionally, I took the VITEEE in April, an exam that was generally considered one of the easier ones to ace, but I didn't achieve a good score in that either. This sequence of disappointing results led me to question myself and left me feeling quite depressed.
It's important to remember that test scores don't define your worth, and setbacks are a natural part of any challenging journey. It's crucial to stay resilient and keep working towards your goals, learning from both successes and failures.
It's common for many of us to hide our problems and challenges, especially from our parents, which can lead to misunderstandings and false hopes. I too kept many of my difficulties to myself, and this created confusion, particularly regarding my academic scores. Instead, I relied on my friends to share my concerns, and their support motivated me to open up to my parents about my situation. This step was crucial in finding a resolution.
After careful consideration, I made the decision to focus exclusively on preparing for the JEE Advanced. For two months, I dedicated my heart and soul to my advanced preparation. During this period, the BITSAT-1 was conducted and went relatively well for me. However, on the day of the JEE Advanced, I didn't perform as expected, and a similar situation occurred on the day of BITSAT-2. Despite these setbacks, I am content with the college that I ultimately gained admission ie BITS Goa Campus.
This experience reminds us that success is not solely determined by exam scores, and the pursuit of knowledge and personal growth is a valuable journey in itself.
Finally, a message for anyone preparing for challenging exams. Your worth is not solely determined by your test scores, and it's important to remember that your value as a person extends far beyond academic achievements. Giving your best effort is essential, but it's equally crucial to treat yourself with care and compassion throughout the journey.
These two years of intensive preparation are just a part of your life, and you have many more opportunities ahead. Life is a continuous journey, and while these exams are significant, they do not define your entire existence. So, keep working hard, stay positive, and believe in yourself. All the best to everyone, and remember that when you give your best, other positive outcomes will follow naturally.
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