City girl, Ananya Patwardhan, one of the three students who topped the Indian Certificate Secondary Education (ICSE-X) examination that was conducted by the Council for the Indian School Certificate (CISCE) last week, says the biggest challenge was to keep away from social networking sites and mobile messenger applications, when the rest of the world is going virtual.
Ananya, a student of Chatrabhuj Narsee Memorial School, Vile Parle, secured 99.20 per cent with a score of 596 out of total 600 marks. In a chat with Vishnudas Sheshrao, Ananya talks of her future aspirations, peer pressure and what makes her tick. Excerpts…
Q: How did you manage peer pressure at school?
A: One thing is certain. I chose to stay away from social networking sites, mobile chat applications and mobile games. These are like addictions, once one touches the screen, one cannot stop. It consumes a long time. I had made a resolution not to touch the screen.
When the rest of the world is going virtual, it was difficult to stay away from these sites. But I was successful in my resolution to keep away from such distractions and so did well in academics.
Q: After the exam, what was your expectation about the result?
A: Honestly speaking, after my exam, I was expecting somewhere around 97 per cent marks. I was really surprised with the final results. From last five years, I was the topper in my school and I was expecting that I will be a topper in my class or batch this year, too. It was mind-boggling to be ranked first in the country with 99.20 per cent marks.
Q: What were your optional subjects? How many marks did you get subject wise?
A: I had Hindi as an optional language and Technical Drawing Application as another optional subject. I have been studying Hindi language from first standard so I was expecting high marks. However, I got 96 marks in Hindi, the lowest marks as compared to other subjects.
In three subjects – Mathematics, Science and Technical Drawing Applications, I scored 100 out of 100 marks. In Social Studies, I got 99 marks out of total 100. In languages, I got 97 marks in English and 96 marks in Hindi.
Q: How did you manage your studies?
A: I was very constant in my studies. I stretched each day equally from first day of school till last day of examination. Earlier, I thought of studying the full night at a stretch but later realised that it is not practical in the long term. Then I made a practical timetable and followed that.
I used to get up very early in the morning. I was told by my teachers and friends that early hours are the most productive. I took their advice and was only thankful as it really helped me. Then I started getting up very early in the morning. In the morning, everything is quiet and the mind is also less occupied than at any other time.
Q: What were your methods of study?
A: was self study. Yes, of course, there was school and coaching class but eventually what one can recalls in the examination hall is what one has studied and tried to understand on one’s own. I was very attentive in the classes and made it a point to study the topic before it starts in class and again revise it after class. Eventually, there were regular weekly and monthly revisions of the syllabus.
Q: How was peer competition in the class or batch?
A: We were a class of odd-40 students and a batch of say about 300 students who had appeared for the 10th examination during the last academic year. Our batch was really intelligent and a bunch of hard working students. We had competition among us and the competition was visible enough in the classroom. However, otherwise we are very good friends and helped each other, whenever required. It was very healthy competition which used to encourage me to study harder. My aim was to top in the class and batch and eventually, I topped in the country.
Q: How did you entertain yourself during the long academic year?
A: Our teachers told us that a good break is necessary during studies. It removes the monotonousness in life and increases capacity. That really worked. I used to take breaks of 10 minutes to two hours from studies. In ten minutes, I used to take a power nap which used to make me really fresh and I continued my studies after that.
Q: What were your other activities, other than studies?
A: Of course, reading book was integral part of the breaks that I took. Besides, I am also learning Hindustani Classical (Vocal) which is not part of my school education. I have acted in some plays and one-act-plays in the school and also participated in debating and elocution competitions. I also used to meditate to calm my mind and body. It really proved helpful during crucial hours of examination.
Q: What you would like to be in future?
A: I would like to be a lawyer. In my aptitude tests, it came across that I have a good aptitude towards law. I had conveyed my decision to my parents and they too appreciated it.
Q: What influenced your decision to be a lawyer? Did your parents influence you?
A: Nothing, expect my aptitude and my mind. There was no any kind of influence from my parents or anyone from the family. It is absolutely my own decision which had come from study of various reports and present scenario. I feel that I can be a good advocate and I will be some day!
Q: What will you advise your fellow junior students?
A: I am afraid, whether I am the right person to advise them. But what I can tell them from my own experience – study regularly. Do not stretch few days in week and then relax. Constantly be in touch with the syllabus.
If possible, stay away from social networking sites and messengers applications. It will kill your time. In case of a serious matter, make a call and resolve the issue, instead of chatting over messenger application.
More importantly, have some hobby that entertains your mind and removes the stress and increases your capacity building.
