CHENNAI: I am an engineering student. I always read your articles in the Student Edition. I have learnt a lot from them, and I have told my friends about them. Thank you, ma’am.
I am glad you and your friends read the articles. Please make the suggestions in them a part of your life. If you have any questions feel free to ask. May you have a happy successful life ahead.
I have one question. How can we make our minds focus on work without deviations? For example, when I am listening to the teacher sometimes my mind wanders and I miss what is being taught.
Athletes build stamina by increasing their body’s resistance, and learn to tolerate pain and exhaustion. In the same way we have to learn to increase our concentration and will power by forcing ourselves to do a little more each day. If you start daydreaming after 15 minutes of concentration tell yourself firmly that you will focus for 20 minutes that day. Slowly increase the time till you reach one hour. After every hour of concentrated work we need to stretch and breathe and relax for a few minutes. Set aside time for yourself when you permit your mind to wander. You will find if you focus, knowing you can dream later, you will concentrate. I have already through these columns given some tips for increasing concentration. Please refer to them.
Is it possible to find simple solutions for all problems? We can find simple solutions for a few problems; others have solutions but they may not be simple and may include some risk.
Each problem has its own unique solution. In the article you are perhaps referring to, I urged everyone to think out of the box because often the most complex problems can be resolved by discussion, an open mind and a positive approach. There is no common solution to any problem, but if we start out thinking it is irresolvable then we cannot find an answer. We have to believe that every problem has a solution and we can find it if we decide to.
I am a 1st year BTech-IT student. My goal is to become an IAS officer. I want to achieve great things but I feel rejected by success and welcomed by failure.
Please suggest solutions for my questions below:
1. How can I improve my English to get a placement in a software company? I want an easy way.
2. I am a good speaker, I write well and enjoy sports activities. But I can’t find an opportunity to show my talents in my college. How can I prove to the world that I am talented?
3. I am 18 and quite mature. How should the relations between my parents and me be?
Three questions; I hope I can answer them all.
1. There is no easy way to do anything!! Read English newspapers, listen to the English news, speak in English to your friends, especially during college hours. Any language you hear and speak often enough is easy to communicate in. This takes time. It cannot be done instantly. Look up questions for interviews on the Net and practise answers. Study your subject well to get a good campus placement three years from now.
2. If your college has a debating club, a drama club or a sports club, join it. When there is any programme take part in it, even if it is a small part, I repeat small part, and then you may learn things . Do not blame the college. You have to take part to be noticed. You cannot become a hero without effort. How do you know you are good when you have never taken part?!
3. As you get older you have to become a source of energy, comfort and strength for your parents. You may still be dependent on them financially but you can always offer moral support and be responsible and mature. Do not blame the world. Change yourself!