 Devi Kar
Principal, Modern High School for Girls, Calcutta
Q: My daughter is in Class VIII. She has been a decent student all her life and we have never had to prod her to study. However, recently, I have noticed that she pays scant attention to her studies and is more concerned with her appearance and spends hours in front of the mirror. Whenever I ask her anything about school or studies, she shrugs me off. What I also find disturbing is that earlier, she used to confide in me. Now, she’s busy clinging to her mobile and my queries are usually met with a stony silence. She’s also falling behind in class. What do I do to help her?
Name withheld
A: This is the age when youngsters distance themselves from their parents and draw closer to their peers. Intense friendships are formed and often a certain aloofness is noticed. Sometimes there is open rebellion.
Nagging will not help at all. Please express your feelings to your daughter frankly and affectionately, when she is in a relatively receptive frame of mind.
Listen carefully if she talks — even if she has a string of grievances against you. Whatever the situation and however worse it gets, make sure the communication channel is kept open. It will take time and patience, but eventually she will come around.
Q: I am a Class X student preparing for my board exams. I have a keen interest in computer science though I want to become an IPS officer. I want to know if computer science is part of the UPSC syllabus. I would also like to know if other subjects related to science and technology are included in this exam.
Abhinav
A: You can easily get hold of a copy of the UPSC syllabus. That is the least of your problems. But at this stage you need to be reminded that an IPS officer has to have certain qualities that have nothing to do with “subjects”. Meanwhile, it would be wise to concentrate on your studies and think about the subjects you would like to opt for at the HS level. Your decision should be based on your interest and aptitude and not on the UPSC syllabus.
 Father Manipadam Provincial delegate for
Don Bosco Youth Services, Calcutta
Q: I am studying in Class IX in a Bengali medium school. I am confused as to which subject to take up as my additional paper. I scored 65 per cent in mathematics in Class VIII and 86 per cent in computers. If I take up computers as my additional subject, will it pose any problem when I appear for the madhyamik examination? Please advise.
Om Prakash Shaw
A: If you think 65 per cent in maths and 86 per cent in computers in class VIII is good enough, or if you think that you can further improve on that in the next couple of years, then You should focus — in the long run — on taking up some computer-related engineering course. I don’t understand why you are so apprehensive about computers being a problem. You should rather be planning to do well in PCM and computers and if you do these well, you have a bright future in engineering or in the IT sector.
Q: I am going to appear for the HS exam and have a PCMB combination but am fascinated with English. What are the prospects after English? Or should I stick to a conventional choice like IT?
Subrata Maikap
A: It will all depend on how good you are in these subjects. If you are really good then why go for English at all? You can sit for the joint entrance in both engineering and medical. If you are keen on English then you could think of options like English honours or mass communication.
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