Thank God for exams- no, seriously, thank God for exams! This assertion might seem to fly in the face of the general opinion, but it is valid, nonetheless.
It is said that routine is lethal- now, one may not completely agree with this statement, and rightly so, since routine is essential to manage all the different things one wishes to do, in the time available. However, the statement is correct to the extent that routine makes time seem to run faster. This may perhaps be explained by the fact that life becomes predictable, once you know, more or less, exactly what you will be doing at a certain time of the day. Predictability therefore makes each day seem the same, so that it seems as though time is not really passing, but repeating itself. It takes a shake-up, a change in routine, to really make us realize that time, is in fact passing, and oftentimes passing us by.
It is here that I believe exams play a vital role. Exams shake up our regular schedule starting at least a week prior to their beginning. Now, while the extent of time spend revising varies, one week before exams is the time it enters the public consciousness that a significant event that requires preparation is coming soon. Some might start preparing at this time, others might look for notes and material, and still others might have started prior to this, but the fact remains that the average student's schedule undergoes a significant change at this time.
Now, once the routine is disrupted, we sit down at our tables and open, often for the first time, our books. It is here that the second significant benefit of exams is felt. Clear of all distractions, and petty sources of procrastination, free of our electronic masters for once, our minds are freed. It is akin to a pond that is very muddy and dark during the long monsoon, but one fine day when the rain clears up, the sediment is allowed to settle, and the water becomes clear. Through this clear perspective, we are able to come to terms with some of the thoughts that were swimming around, unseen but nagging. For once, we get time to think, and sort out our thoughts.We remember what we meant to do when the year began, and what we have or have not done. The things which have fallen by the wayside are picked up and dusted off, and restored to their intended position.
Conversely, this process is also comparable to the churning of the sea of milk in Hindu mythology. Just as the churning of the sea of milk threw up great wonders, exam time is when most of us are at our most creative. We have wonderful ideas during this period, about things we want to do, poems we want to write, or words we want to say.
The last most important thing about exams is the fact that they better help us appreciate and enjoy the simple joys of college life- the movies we see, the parties we attend or the clubs we work in, are nothing special when done on an excessive basis, but after the high pressure situation of exams, these are extra sweet.
What is the key takeaway from all this? It is perhaps that we should, once a week, break off our schedule, sit down, away from all distractions, and simply take some time to think. This could help us in a hugely significant way.
It is said that routine is lethal- now, one may not completely agree with this statement, and rightly so, since routine is essential to manage all the different things one wishes to do, in the time available. However, the statement is correct to the extent that routine makes time seem to run faster. This may perhaps be explained by the fact that life becomes predictable, once you know, more or less, exactly what you will be doing at a certain time of the day. Predictability therefore makes each day seem the same, so that it seems as though time is not really passing, but repeating itself. It takes a shake-up, a change in routine, to really make us realize that time, is in fact passing, and oftentimes passing us by.
It is here that I believe exams play a vital role. Exams shake up our regular schedule starting at least a week prior to their beginning. Now, while the extent of time spend revising varies, one week before exams is the time it enters the public consciousness that a significant event that requires preparation is coming soon. Some might start preparing at this time, others might look for notes and material, and still others might have started prior to this, but the fact remains that the average student's schedule undergoes a significant change at this time.
Now, once the routine is disrupted, we sit down at our tables and open, often for the first time, our books. It is here that the second significant benefit of exams is felt. Clear of all distractions, and petty sources of procrastination, free of our electronic masters for once, our minds are freed. It is akin to a pond that is very muddy and dark during the long monsoon, but one fine day when the rain clears up, the sediment is allowed to settle, and the water becomes clear. Through this clear perspective, we are able to come to terms with some of the thoughts that were swimming around, unseen but nagging. For once, we get time to think, and sort out our thoughts.We remember what we meant to do when the year began, and what we have or have not done. The things which have fallen by the wayside are picked up and dusted off, and restored to their intended position.
Conversely, this process is also comparable to the churning of the sea of milk in Hindu mythology. Just as the churning of the sea of milk threw up great wonders, exam time is when most of us are at our most creative. We have wonderful ideas during this period, about things we want to do, poems we want to write, or words we want to say.
The last most important thing about exams is the fact that they better help us appreciate and enjoy the simple joys of college life- the movies we see, the parties we attend or the clubs we work in, are nothing special when done on an excessive basis, but after the high pressure situation of exams, these are extra sweet.
What is the key takeaway from all this? It is perhaps that we should, once a week, break off our schedule, sit down, away from all distractions, and simply take some time to think. This could help us in a hugely significant way.
