JEE/NEET postponed Again: What to do now

Let’s begin with addressing the questions that must be going on in your head:

●    How to remain motivated/Positive?

●    How to maintain the tempo?

●    What to do until the exam in September?

●    Can I keep studying indefinitely?

I’m going to give you one simple answer to all these questions.

RELAX

I know you must’ve seen a million videos by now asking you to push it now, study more than ever, this is the high time and every single motivational quote in the world.

I’m here to take you to a different direction:

From today till 31^st July: enjoy and relax, recoup, and recharge yourself.

How?

Follow your passion or get involved in an activity that not only engages you but also motivates you. Learn to play the guitar (or any instrument of your choice), watch movies, play computer games, take rest, sleep 7-8 hours, do meditation, do gardening, learn to cook, and bake your favorite cake. Just do anything that gives you happiness.

 

But don’t forget to touch base with your books every day.

Keep studying at least 3-4 hours per day (1 hour per subject is enough). This will help in maintaining the rhythm and momentum and you’ll be able to bounce back quickly once the exams come close. On that note, I am recommending the best books that you can solve for the next 3-4 weeks.

Don’t lose hope!

We are worried about our one-year of hard work and 6 months of waiting around. Let me talk about a person who had to wait for 12 years for success and that too for no fault of his.

“THE MAN WITH ONLY HAND"

I promise you that once you read his story, you’ll never forget him…

Karoly Takács was born in Budapest and joined the Hungarian Army. By 1936, he was a world-class pistol shooter, but he was denied a place in the Hungarian shooting team for the 1936 Summer Olympics on the grounds that he was a sergeant, and only commissioned officers were allowed to compete. This prohibition was lifted in Hungary after the Berlin Games, and Takács had expectations of success at the 1940 Summer Olympics.

Those expectations were crushed when one terrible day, just months before the Olympics, a defective grenade exploded in his right hand - his pistol hand -and shattered his hope completely.

At that point, most people would have decided to quit. Takacs did the unthinkable; he picked himself up, dusted himself off, and right after receiving one month of treatment, he secretly began to teach himself to shoot with his left hand. For months Takacs practiced by himself. No one knew what he was doing. He didn’t want to subject himself to those who might have discouraged him from his rekindled dream.

Instead of focusing on what he didn’t have – a world-class right shooting hand, he decided to focus on what he did have – an incredible will, resilience, and a healthy left hand. He decided that with time, his left hand could be developed to shoot like a champion.

In the spring of 1939, he showed up at the Hungarian National Pistol Shooting Championship. Other shooters approached Takacs to give him their condolences and to congratulate him on having the strength to come watch them shoot. They were surprised when he said, "I am here not to spectate but participate".

But when it was Takacs’ turn, the man picked up the pistol with his left hand, fired shot after shot with his non-dominant hand as the audience watched with their jaw dropped open. And what was shocking was every shot hit the bullseye. All of the other players shot with their best hand, but Karoly was shooting with his only hand.
Do you know what happened?
"Takacs came out as the winner of the event".

However, his dream of winning the Olympic gold was shattered once again. This time because the Olympic Committee canceled the Olympics of 1940 due to World War II. (Just like Corona Pandemic has delayed your exams).
Takacs, though disappointed kept hanging on. He waited for four long years hoping to fulfil his incomplete dream in 1944. Unfortunately, the Olympics of 1944 had to be cancelled too due to the continued war. But Takacs didn’t give up, he shifted his focus on the Olympics of 1948.

By 1948, Takacs was 38. In the Summer Olympics held in the same year in London, he was no longer considered the favorite to win the event. Right before the event, the reigning world champion asked Takacs ‘what are you here for?’ Takacs said, “I’m here to fight.” To everyone’s surprise, Takacs went on not only to bag the Gold medal but also set the world record in the rapid-fire pistol event.

Four years later, Takacs won the Gold Medal again at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. He got what he aimed for. Takacs – a man with the mental toughness to bounce back from anything.

You might have many reasons for not chasing your dreams. But ask yourself:

HAD LIFE HIT YOU BADLY ENOUGH THAT YOU CAN'T BOUNCE BACK?

IF TAKACS CAN WAIT FOR 12 YEARS, WHY CAN'T YOU FOR 6 MONTHS?

Takacs words:

“It's not about being the best; It's about being better than yesterday.”

“Chase your dreams no matter what life gives you.”

 

Last but not the least, as discussed in my last mail, let me explain a simple philosophy that I follow in UNCERTAIN times and I hope it’ll help sate the distress and turmoil that has been going on in your mind.

 

The first step ask yourself, ‘Can I do something about PROBLEM?’

 

If you can, then ‘WHY WORRY?’ simply get to work and if you cannot do something about it, once again the answer is: ‘WHY WORRY?’

 

In the context of corona crisis affecting your examination, you need to accept that it’s not in your control. The only thing that you actually CAN do is ‘keep calm and keep preparing.’

 

Wishing you all the best for your exams and life.

 

Feel free to contact me in case of any help or guidance.

 

Always yours,

Avinash Agarwal

Study skill Coach cum Exam Strategist

avinash@aiets.co.in