Life skills for young adults
So the Board exam results are out. Students all over India have been released from their month-long tension. Some have expectedly fared excellently, while some have managed to just pass muster. Some have reached for the stars, while some have had their world crashing down. Parents are either in congratulatory mode, sharing their kid's achievements on social media, or are have taken social hibernation, warning their kids to keep their shameful result under wraps.
As a nation obsessed with academic results, it is no wonder that these months are a child's most stressful time of the year. All everybody seems to be bothered about is how the child will fare in the Board exams of 10th or 12th standard. As if that is the holy grail of all examinations in life, and failing to come up to expectations means a total negation of worth and identity.
Has anyone ever studied how these examination toppers fare later in life? Do they continue to shine throughout their academic and career life, or do they slowly fade into mediocrity? Does their brilliant performance in the Boards indicate their competence to handle life's problems, or are more complex skills required to navigate your way through the maze of life?
In my opinion, academic brilliance contributes only 10% of a person's ability to successfully handle life's challenges. The concept of Emotional Intelligence challenges our tendency to judge a person solely on the basis of IQ. Emotional traits and skills like empathy, sharing, tolerance, sensitivity, self confidence, concern for others, contribute far more to a person's success in life.
In this jumbled, confused, polarized world we live in, and which our children will inherit, compassion and tolerance, along with an ability to drive change are the most required skills.
Barack Obama, Justin Trudeau, Aung San Suu Kyi, the Dalai Lama, Mark Zuckerburg, Meryl Streep, Khalid Hossaini, J.K. Rowling, A.R. Rehman, Beyonce, whom among these are remembered for their school results? Who knows how much they scored in maths or chemistry? Does anyone care too?
As a nation obsessed with academic results, it is no wonder that these months are a child's most stressful time of the year. All everybody seems to be bothered about is how the child will fare in the Board exams of 10th or 12th standard. As if that is the holy grail of all examinations in life, and failing to come up to expectations means a total negation of worth and identity.
Has anyone ever studied how these examination toppers fare later in life? Do they continue to shine throughout their academic and career life, or do they slowly fade into mediocrity? Does their brilliant performance in the Boards indicate their competence to handle life's problems, or are more complex skills required to navigate your way through the maze of life?
In my opinion, academic brilliance contributes only 10% of a person's ability to successfully handle life's challenges. The concept of Emotional Intelligence challenges our tendency to judge a person solely on the basis of IQ. Emotional traits and skills like empathy, sharing, tolerance, sensitivity, self confidence, concern for others, contribute far more to a person's success in life.
In this jumbled, confused, polarized world we live in, and which our children will inherit, compassion and tolerance, along with an ability to drive change are the most required skills.
Barack Obama, Justin Trudeau, Aung San Suu Kyi, the Dalai Lama, Mark Zuckerburg, Meryl Streep, Khalid Hossaini, J.K. Rowling, A.R. Rehman, Beyonce, whom among these are remembered for their school results? Who knows how much they scored in maths or chemistry? Does anyone care too?
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