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Devi Kar
Principal, Modern High School for Girls, Calcutta |
Q: My son is in Class VII and is extremely inattentive. When he is at home and I am helping him with his studies, he is very attentive and keen. But whenever he has to take a test in school, he performs miserably despite knowing his lessons. I don’t know how to deal with this problem. Please help.
Name withheld
A: This is a fairly common problem today. Children are becoming far too dependent on parents and tutors to carry out their studies. Guidance may be necessary, but independent study habit has to be encouraged.Your son should be helped to take responsibility for his own studies. This may take time but will be rewarding in the long run. After all, you won’t be available round the clock to sit next to him to enable him to perform.
Q: I am in Class XII and am decent in studies. Lately, I have noticed a strange behaviour among my friends. If I miss school and ask for notes the next day, they don’t say no straight to my face, but tactfully skirt the issue. What surprises me is that why can’t they share the notes with me, when everyone in the class has, in fact, the very same notes? I am unable to figure out the cause as I have always been very helpful towards them. I feel very lonely and betrayed and don’t know how to approach this problem.
Name withheld
A: Perhaps you should be more outspoken with your friends and ask them directly why they are unwilling to part with their class notes. Since you refer to them as “friends” you certainly have the right to ask them for help, as well as the right to speak your mind. Once you broach the issue, you will be able to address the issue. All your friends cannot be selfish and mean especially when you say that you have always been helpful.
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Biprodas Bhattacharya
Senior teacher, Rama
Krishna Mission School,
Narendrapur |
Q: I am in Class XII and am appearing for my Boards next year. I have a PCM combination and want to know what would be the best career option for me.
Amit Sinha
A: Your subject combination makes you eligible for practically all streams. But, if you are unsure about what stream would suit you best, it might be a good idea to take an aptitude test after your Board exams.
Since the test results indicate your natural abilities, it may help you take a decision. Unless and until you are sure of a career choice, it is better to go for an undergraduate degree in a subject you find interesting, rather than a professional course like engineering, medical or management.
Q: My daughter is in Class X and preparing for her ICSE exams. She seems to have no interest in physics and chemistry and her concepts of these subjects aren’t clear. She is interested in biology and maths and wants to study medicine. Can you suggest some text books which will help clear her concepts? Can you suggest some alternative subjects which have promising opportunities for higher studies or good job prospects?
R. Chowdhury
A: Very few people are equally interested in all subjects. If your daughter wants to study medicine, she should be encouraged. She still has two more years to figure out her choice. If she is interested in mathematics, other promising subjects would be statistics, bioengineering and bioinformatics. If she is interested in research, you may encourage her to pursue a pure science subject up to graduation, after which she can choose a more specialised field.
At school level, the best way to have clear concepts on any subject is to read the text book thoroughly. Reference books should be read only on the recommendation of the teachers.
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