FOUNDER'S NOTE

Neurology has been making tremendous strides.  It is now acknowledged that you can actually enhance your IQ.  It is also being accepted that the brain can re-wire itself based on circumstances and environment.

Research indicates that as much as 90-95% of our actions and behavior are controlled by our sub-conscious mind (i.e. our upbringing, indoctrination, beliefs) and not our conscious mind (what we are thinking and believing now).

This again reaffirms that change is coming in more and more rapidly, not just in technology, but also in human behavior and relationships.

Have you learnt to anticipate, prepare and adapt to newer ways of life before they overtake you and you are left with no choice?

Screen Addiction

Children (and many adults) are getting more and more addicted to the screen. 

Very few of us understand long-term effects that it can have on us, and more so on children whose minds are still being developed. 

Since this is the first generation of “digital natives” we do not know what the future holds – but we can definitely take precautions to ensure that they (or we) do not become slaves to technology. 

There is a wonderful world outside the 6” mobile screen that is welcoming us, let’s go to it – first us, then the children.

Hate “mugging up”, “learning by heart” and “rote learning”?

Some teachers who are aware of the above problems of students encourage them to use the time proven technique called ‘Mnemonics’.  It is the method of using catch-words or phrases or acronyms to remember a series of words, formulae etc.  The most popular is VIBGYOR, which is the acronym for Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red, the colours of the rainbow in that sequence.  One that I heard recently is:  “Nana Patekar Pass, sab bindas”  which represents Phosphorus (P), Arsenic (As), antimony (Sb) and bismuth (Bi), the constituents of the nitrogen family.

Teachers working on these techniques claim that it makes learning fun and effective.  Many students have also benefited in scoring better marks spending less time on their studies.  A word of caution is that mnemonics does not actually improve the memory of the student, it is only a technique to remember and score better in exams.  Hence if you really wish to remember what you are learning and apply it beyond exams, then you may need to study deeper and understand the context and fundamentals of what you are studying.   

Which is the best career?

If there was a “best” career that everyone would aim for, then very soon its scope would drastically come down, because there will be too many people qualifying in that field.  In fact this is what happened in the late nineties to IT and in the past few years to BT (biotechnology). Both are very challenging and promising fields.  But whenever too many people rush towards them, the demand obviously comes down.

Keep in mind that when you choose a career and qualify in it, you will be working for almost fifty years in your chosen profession.  Have a vision, don’t be carried away by which field the highest paid jobs are currently being offered in.  In your working life, many times the “scope” of the career will go up and down.  But if you choose wisely, and for the right reasons, you will continue to do well even when there is a recession in that field.

If you have finished your 10^th, you are already on the crossroads where you have to start taking the most important decisions of your life.  If you are coming close to the 10^th standard, it is time to start narrowing down right now. If you are even further ahead academically, this is your last chance to steer towards your final goal. Introspect deeply. 

Your career decision should be taken based on the following factors:

1. Your interest (what you actually want to do for the rest of your life, what you will enjoy doing).
2. Your love for particular subjects, since they lay the foundation of the work you are going to be doing.
3. The lifestyle that you prefer, your personality characteristics, your extra-curricular interests.
4. Your aptitude – i.e. your potential to develop the skills required in any particular career.

Equally important is to know what the various career options are.  The choice is increasing at a rapid pace, and you need not follow in the footsteps of the older generation.  You can be part of a new, challenging, and thrilling vocation. Write to us if you want further guidance.