Can you recall the sigh of relief you experience when your exams are officially over?
The feeling of being done with an exam is undoubtedly unparalleled. Right from the moment we step into a school to a time which can never be pre-assumed you are on a constant test, be it in the contextual sense or in general. No matter where you go, you are bound to be tested each time, everywhere!
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Since exams are so inevitable part and parcel of our lives, let’s ponder over them a little.
In 2011, an Australian University, Macquarie University was the first to debate the issue of abolishing the exams which advocated no exams in any subject at any year level.
Many argue and criticize exams saying they promote superficial understanding of topics, and also that they are inauthentic as the process of examination is unable to bring about the kind of things and skills which are essential and which will be asked in the real world.
Although, when looked upon and pondered deeply, each one of you would beg to differ as this viewpoint is just taking a narrow view of the activity and undermining its pros which are indirect yet effective and long-lasting rather than superficial.
Another argument, which often thrives across the debates is that exams fail to develop questioning self-sufficient learners.
In comparison to the degree of how debatable this statement is, one undeniable fact is that how much one can learn and derive from something depends on the attitude of the person it is subjected to.
If analyzed closely and consciously, exams can be your way to self-introspect, not just your learning capabilities but also in numerous other values which are non-academic and indispensable in your life. The process of preparing and sitting for exams brings along a plethora of opportunities for improvement with the least risks associated if one has a mindset to improve oneself.
Starting from the exams in the school life when there is an obvious and mutual disliking (considering majority) among all for the exam season, it also brings along certain hidden incentives which gradually and repeatedly train our mind without us being conscious about it. This is the very reason the school phase of our life is called as the building block for the rest of the life.
MEMOIRS OF THE EXAM PHASE
If you are a school student or you have been in past, try recalling these certain things you would have experienced at some of the other points:
The desire to be score well (this is undeniable that everyone wants the outcome to be in their favor and experience mini successes). No matter you were a top performer or an average student, no matter you gave in much effort in your studies or not, you would always want to perform and score well in exams. This roots in a very common human trait that we don’t like to fail. We might, at times, not put in the requisite amount of effort but somewhere deep down we are aware that we want to succeed. We like the taste of accomplishment. All our desires, deeds, and emotions are rooted in that only.
All our other emotions, feelings, efforts, and habits are somewhere linked to this to succeed.
EVER NOTICED THESE PROS OF EXAMS?
Exam season is an emotionally charged one, be it the feelings of fear, anxiety, pressure, or confidence. We experience it all within this time frame.
Exams subject us to all of these situations and emotions. Sometimes these are hardships for us whereas at times we turn them into opportunities. Sitting in exams can help predict the future because they help us shape our habits, our attitude to look at obstacles in the toughest times.
When you study to prepare for a competitive exam you tend to contemplate that whether or not you are fit for the purpose. You might never do such contemplation any other time. It is when you begin to prepare for the same, analyze your capabilities and interests and assess if your ambitions, desires, and goals are in conjunction with it or not. The ground reality and practical execution encircle your thought process only once you prepare and sit for that exam and not just by dreaming and thinking of it. Real contemplation and the suitability of the goal can be assessed only once you begin to put your efforts in that direction and when you appear for a test or exam about the same.
EXAMS MAKE YOU QUESTION AND INTROSPECT?
What you know already, and how much is the scope of improving on that.
What are your capabilities and your interests? An ability to self-assess your strengths and weaknesses and also to gradually work on them on the road to improvement.
Apart from these specific instances, in general, too sitting in exams can predict the future because, at times, the way you prepare both physically, mentally, and in the context of knowledge speak a greater degree about you, your personality, and your attitude.
If you observe a person in the phase where you will be giving an exam in near future and if you analyze your days and ways you can truly predict your future and what it would look like. Your habits, your attitude in tough situations, and your way of approaching the complexities determine what your future would look like to a greater degree. Of course, the knowledge and expertise in your field are very important but these skills, a healthy and positive mindset is equally important. Exams help you test, assess, improve your knowledge, as well as, prepare you to deal with stress, endure pressure, and bring about creative solutions to complex problems.
Exam these days don’t just require you to study, practice, and perform. Competitiveness has increased to such a huge level these days, that even the way you study is important. It becomes very essential for you as an aspirant to keep a check on the kind of people and their strategies and techniques which they are using to approach that same goal as you.
Exams these days require a greater degree of awareness and creative ways to be ahead of your competition. Sitting in exams can predict the future because it not only tests your level of knowledge but also your ability to handle pressure, to use creative ways for drawing best of your capabilities, it requires you to stay up-to-date. And those who see exams as an opportunity as knowledge to learn, skills to acquire.
Higher-order thinking skills and capability of decision making are few essential qualities which these exams help us acquire. Real-world studies and research have shown that even sitting for an exam as well as studying for an exam deepens learning.
HOW EXAMS HELP YOU BE READY FOR FUTURE VENTURES?
1. Quality of taking initiative
Do you remember that whenever we see an exam approaching, we on our own tend to increase the time we study? Many even make dedicated time-table for the same. Common among all, we realize the importance of self-study and begin to invest our efforts in self-study for that period. This is real life mini example of the quality of taking initiative.
ABHYUDAYA: FREE COACHING CLASSES IN UP FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMS
2. Acknowledging and dealing with emotions
Often suggested by seniors, teachers, and mentors that we should always keep a check on our emotions and stress when we have to study because if your emotions are not balanced then obviously you cannot give your best. Periodic exams are just like exercising daily, they subject you to similar pressure, stress, and anxiety and eventually you learn to deal with them with time and practice. This one quality will always help you for your entire life both professionally and personally. Exams indirectly train you to accept stress and negative emotions and to deal with them rather than feeling overwhelmed.
