Challenges faced by DESI Students- A Stepping Stone to Success or a Roadblock?
Be it the school days or the college life, every student falls prey to issues either masked on the pretext of their better future or are forced upon them with no route for escape. Often we hear students calling the college days “the best days of their lives”, but having graduated two years back myself, I would only agree to it partially. The truth is, no student can deny that the Indian education system has its flaws, and the government investing only 3% of their total budget towards education and its infrastructures along with changes made to it, are far from welcoming. More than what we have faced within the system, it is how and to what extent such changes are applicable in our lives. Here’s presenting a list of such common problems that students can relate to, on a regular basis:
A. Career Choices — IMPOSED?
Career paths are directed to us once we reach high school. The choices are mainly stereotypical, where streams like science and commerce are ‘chosen’ as the aptest ones according to many. Surprisingly, most of these career choices are not truly our choices but chosen for us. Movies like ‘3 Idiots’ perfectly highlight such flaws through undeniably relatable facts. Hence career counselling is either biased or is not taken seriously due to these pre-decided stereotypical career options which are mainly vocational and job-oriented.
B. Lack of Interest — Are Distractions The True Stress Busters?
With the impending pressure to outshine in class and the outdated education methods, students are slowly losing interest in their studies citing lack of motivation from all ends. Students often complain about the monotonous lifestyle, leading them to distract themselves as thier only mode to escape. Unfortunately, more than 80% of the students in both schools and colleges chose to play video games (promoting violence and aggression), drinking, smoking, etc., as their means of relieving their stress and “worries” and any amount of discipline only makes them rebel. Motivational speakers have often shed light upon such issues where most of the school/college students dealing with these addictions find avoiding them an uphill task.
C. Competition and Mental Health- Hard Work But at What Cost?
India ranks among the highest number of suicide cases involving students between 15–29 years. Shockingly, the extreme pressure, stress, and anxiety to excel have caused students to face mental health issues that are hard to deal with. Still a taboo, students under extreme psychological distress do not voice out to avoid any mockery. The challenge to compete against lakhs of students in exams like JEE, CAT, UPSC, etc., pushes students to believe that the competition is the only way to see where we stand.
D. Rote Learning- Creativity Long Gone?
Rote-learning, since school days, h given students sleepless nights. Creativity and “thinking out of the box” are long gone and rote-learning is believed to solve all problems. Coaching centres are the main perpetrators and while there are some who are good at mugging up notes without even understanding what it means (watch ‘3 Idiots’ to get the point!), there are others who are slow at coping with such educational methods. Such methods propagate that ‘marks’ win against intelligence and creativity.
E. Parental/Societal Pressures- — Expectations Kill?
“Are we creating Humans or building Robots?” The harsh reality of societal norms shapes the mindset of people and some parents going by it is not surprising. They ‘choose’ their child’s dreams as their own, over what the child truly wants- whether their capabilities match the dreams is not their lookout. The student collapses under this pressure to prove their mettle and this aspect is never given the benefit of doubt. Yet there are many parents who let their child’s choice rule as they believe that forcing them towards something would only make them fear it more.
F. Boarding School/Hostel Life
They say that if one who has never stayed in a boarding school or hostel while in college, has never really enjoyed life. But how far is it true? With the skyrocketing prices of hostel fees and other financial issues in between, the benefits from it are far from being convenient. The ‘mess’ food truly lives up to its name and only junk foods save the day! ‘Maa ke haath ka khana’ is just an illusion which negatively impacts a student’s physical and mental health. Recreation is limited and sneaking in food or supplements from outside is the only resort.
Placements And Part-time Jobs
Standing out in the crowd is what students want — some don’t get the chance to do so. Placements, after we graduate, is what most students look forward to, mainly because getting a job in a good company is something to brag about. Full/Part-time jobs are now easy to find, thanks to freelancing and “work-from-home” jobs yet at the end of the day, earning money becomes the sole purpose of life.
BE THE CHANGE TO BRING A CHANGE! It is high time we look for solutions instead of brooding over problems and the role of parents, education experts, counsellors, and the students themselves play a massive role in making sure that such flaws are tackled effectively. Talk with experts, evaluate yourself, and make a decision to become a better version of yourself because no one knows you better than YOU!
Published on behalf of RUBEX, an ed-tech initiative that offers live classes on-demand. You can take our subjective tests to check your preparation level, clear doubts live with our subject matter experts or even request a counseling session. Visit www.rubex.in.
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