Recently I read a news bit about a student suicide. The reason was bad performance. Today again, I read about another suicide. Whenever I read such articles it irks me. What is wrong ? Who is wrong, is it the students or the parents ? Is there really so much pressure out there ?
I wonder why so many people succumb to such a decision. Is it really the performance pressure which drives those students to take such a step or the aftermath of that.
I guess it is the latter part. Many students are stressed so much to study that they become mentally fragile. They are pushed to limits. They are always under constant pressure from their parents to score more and more, to be the topper. This alone is not the reason. There is also no positive motivation. Assume a student finishes one phase, then there should be a small celebration. This makes them happy. It is a welcome break from the tiring hours they have spent burning the midnight oil to study. Once the results are out, whatever they may have scored they should be embraced. I totally agree with all the parents and guardians out there that they will be mighty disappointed if their children score less percentage or fails in an exam. Indeed they have undergone so many sacrifices, they have taken so much pain and when they see such a sad state of affairs they are bound to get disappointed. But that should be momentary.
Students, when they are facing such a turbulent phase need a few words of motivation, may be a pat on the back, ask them not to worry. These small things when come from the loved ones such as parents and elders will surely boost the morale of the children. They will get a positive energy which will drive them to work harder and try to score a good number of marks in future.
I don't want to pin point or blame only the parents or guardians. Students are equally or I believe are more responsible as they are the ones who will be out there studying. They should also see and understand how their parents have toiled hard to give them the best education possible. They should work hard and try to focus. I am not saying that they shouldn't enjoy the life. Of course they should. Meanwhile they should be equally responsible about their academic performance as well.
Even if after working hard, if they score less percentage or fail in the exams they should face it neither run away. Success and failure both are two faces of a same coin. Taking their own life is not the solution. They may be free of their burden but it is their loved ones who will be in pain and guilt for their entire lifetime. They will suffer for the rest of their lives wondering what wrong did they do. Students have lot of expectations and if they are not able to fulfil their expectations or they think they can't achieve all what is expected of them, they should convey it. Maybe some parents would be having a dream that their son or daughter should study in IIT. But, that son or daughter will be knowing their own calibre, their level and they should decide whether to go with that. If they think that they can't do that they should convey it in the beginning itself. I know that the parents would be disappointed but at least they know exactly where they stand. That would be a momentary disappointment but later when the students choose what they think they will excel at, bring laurels, that moment the parents would be really proud of their children.
I believe solutions to this menace can be educating both parents and children that failure is not the end. Students should be motivated to perform better but not put under pressure, there should not be too much of comparison between the fellow students. This may lead to an inferiority complex. All students should be treated as equals. On the other hand, students also should work hard, be honest with their parents. If they know that some particular course or higher education such as Masters is not their cup of tea then they should be brave and tell that.
I wonder why so many people succumb to such a decision. Is it really the performance pressure which drives those students to take such a step or the aftermath of that.
I guess it is the latter part. Many students are stressed so much to study that they become mentally fragile. They are pushed to limits. They are always under constant pressure from their parents to score more and more, to be the topper. This alone is not the reason. There is also no positive motivation. Assume a student finishes one phase, then there should be a small celebration. This makes them happy. It is a welcome break from the tiring hours they have spent burning the midnight oil to study. Once the results are out, whatever they may have scored they should be embraced. I totally agree with all the parents and guardians out there that they will be mighty disappointed if their children score less percentage or fails in an exam. Indeed they have undergone so many sacrifices, they have taken so much pain and when they see such a sad state of affairs they are bound to get disappointed. But that should be momentary.
Students, when they are facing such a turbulent phase need a few words of motivation, may be a pat on the back, ask them not to worry. These small things when come from the loved ones such as parents and elders will surely boost the morale of the children. They will get a positive energy which will drive them to work harder and try to score a good number of marks in future.
I don't want to pin point or blame only the parents or guardians. Students are equally or I believe are more responsible as they are the ones who will be out there studying. They should also see and understand how their parents have toiled hard to give them the best education possible. They should work hard and try to focus. I am not saying that they shouldn't enjoy the life. Of course they should. Meanwhile they should be equally responsible about their academic performance as well.
Even if after working hard, if they score less percentage or fail in the exams they should face it neither run away. Success and failure both are two faces of a same coin. Taking their own life is not the solution. They may be free of their burden but it is their loved ones who will be in pain and guilt for their entire lifetime. They will suffer for the rest of their lives wondering what wrong did they do. Students have lot of expectations and if they are not able to fulfil their expectations or they think they can't achieve all what is expected of them, they should convey it. Maybe some parents would be having a dream that their son or daughter should study in IIT. But, that son or daughter will be knowing their own calibre, their level and they should decide whether to go with that. If they think that they can't do that they should convey it in the beginning itself. I know that the parents would be disappointed but at least they know exactly where they stand. That would be a momentary disappointment but later when the students choose what they think they will excel at, bring laurels, that moment the parents would be really proud of their children.
I believe solutions to this menace can be educating both parents and children that failure is not the end. Students should be motivated to perform better but not put under pressure, there should not be too much of comparison between the fellow students. This may lead to an inferiority complex. All students should be treated as equals. On the other hand, students also should work hard, be honest with their parents. If they know that some particular course or higher education such as Masters is not their cup of tea then they should be brave and tell that.
Failure is a part and parcel of life. It may bring a momentary sadness but it gives a great deal of happiness when you rise from the dark wells of failure to scale new heights which are illuminated by the light of your success.
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