Sanjot Kaur Pruthi

Sanjot Kaur Pruthi, a student of SM Shetty International school, Powai has made her school proud by securing 8 A*s in all her 8 subjects in the tenth grade Cambridge IGCSE examinations. Having spent eight glorious years in this school has shaped her personality and helped her evolve as an individual. She got endless opportunities and platform to showcase her talents and perform. From participating in school events to inter-school competitions, sports tournaments and Olympiads, her school offered her a plethora of opportunities. Throughout her school life, she has been an active member of the Student Council which helped develop her leadership abilities and instilled confidence in her. Moreover, after successfully completing tenures as the Prefect, Deputy Head Girl and House Captain, this talented girl got the honour of shouldering the responsibility of the Head Girl in her last year of schooling. Apart from all this, she also got a chance to showcase her literary skills by being a part of the editorial team of the school magazine and the Press Head for the INTRA MUN. Her hobbies include reading, listening to music and playing sports such as basketball and table tennis. True to her skills and talents, on her farewell, she was bestowed with the title ‘Gift of the Gab’.  In this interview with Priya Sarin, Sanjot Kaur Pruthi will share some really insightful and useful tips to help you ace your upcoming exams. Let’s see how she did it and learn a thing or two from this talented young girl!

Sanjot Kaur Pruthi, a student of SM Shetty International school scored 8 A*s in all her 8 subjects

Good schooling and proper parental support are the main pillars behind every student’s success. What role did your teachers and parents play in your success?
>>   To say that my parents and teachers helped me would be an understatement. My teachers not just helped me with the subject doubts but they guided, motivated and encouraged me to improve and excel. All my teachers helped me understand the subjects better and were always approachable for solving all my doubts. They made sure my concepts were clear and thus, gave me the confidence I needed to perform well academically. In my school, I saw my extended family in whose company I loved spending countless hours. Unbelievably, even with one week left for exams, I would sit with my teachers to satiate my endless doubts. My success story would truly be incomplete if I did not mention the pivotal role my parents have played in moulding me into the person that I am today and helping me utilise my potential to the fullest. At home, my parents created a calm and relaxing environment which helped me study without any pressure or distractions. On days that I came home disheartened after receiving some of my subject marks, they comforted me and made me understand that it was okay to make mistakes. They gave me the time and space I needed, and always told me that I could do it. They never burdened me with any expectations and just told me to give my best and leave the rest to God almighty. Even today, after a hard tiring day of work, my parents are abreast of my activities during the day and find time to solve my problems.

A good revision is the key to excelling in exams. During exam days, how do you revise your lessons and ensure a quick brush up?
>>   During my preparations for the exams, I always prefer using the textbook to make a note of the important key points of the chapter. These notes enable me to quickly brush up on the important concepts before an exam. In fact in order to make my notes more efficient and useful, I write everything in bullet points and underline the key words without which my answer would be incomplete. Additionally, while studying a chapter, I make a mental and physical note of the concepts which require further clarification and practice. Hence during my revision I make sure to go through these concepts again.

Clutter doesn’t seem to bother students much. But then, it is said that keeping your surroundings clean is important for success. What are your views on this?
>>   To begin with, I believe that everyone can have a different view to this perception of clutter and cleanliness. I am one of those kinds who need to have everything at a distance of an arm while studying. Constant breaks to fetch material distract and disturb me. My mom would often tease me that I was invisible in the mountain of books I had piled up all around me. In fact she used to have standing instructions to leave things as they are. However I always managed to keep my study material well organised even though scattered all over my room. As long as you are aware of what is kept where, clutter should not pose a hindrance.

To succeed in annual exams, one needs to be consistent in his or her studies throughout the year. But it is easier said than done and one is likely to burn out. What are the things that helped you overcome mental and emotional fatigue?
>>   My parents always told me that it was quality over quantity. There were days when I studied for many hours but there were also days that I did not study at all. Sometimes I would end up feeling extremely worked up and stressed but sometimes, I would end up feeling guilty for not studying. As the popular saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” it is very important to find a balance between studies and leisure. Firstly, taking breaks while studying really helped me freshen up. Studying for too long saturates me so I recharge myself by grabbing a snack or taking a short nap. Also, going down every day for a walk or for playing any sport is something that helped me de-stress. Being in fresh air is therapeutic for me. In addition, I have always loved reading books. For me a good book serves as an escape into another world. Indulging yourself in a hobby or doing something you are passionate about even if just for a short period of time can really help one overcome mental and emotional fatigue. Eat healthy food, get good sleep and give your best. Don’t worry about the rest! Remember that exams are not the end of the world and that you will be fine.

Routines are important to lead an organised and successful life. Though most students are good at setting routines, when it comes to following them, they fail. Any tips for such students?
>>   Well, to be fair, I would also consider myself as one of these students. Setting a routine is pretty easy: just make a To Do list of a bunch of tasks you need to complete in a day. However, following it is where the difficult part comes in. Eventually I realized that one of the major mistakes we all make is piling up too many tasks for one day and this can get frustrating and stressful. We get so worked up in making sure that we can check everything off our To Do list that we compromise on the quality of our work. For example, it is better to thoroughly do two chapters a day than do four but not with complete understanding. Moreover, it is important to give ourselves some leisure time in a day to calm our mind and soul. This can be in the form of any hobby such as playing sports, painting, reading etc. Personally I found that going down for a walk every day even if just for fifteen minutes, or playing table tennis or basketball really rejuvenated me. Music is another important healer. Sometimes, you can even reward yourself for completing your set tasks by taking a well-deserved, enjoyable break. I discovered this to be a good form of motivation for me. Routines are definitely beneficial if realistic. Last but not the least, involve your family in your routine for without their love and support, it would be impossible to adhere to the schedule. After all, they are the ones who will always be there for you.

A curious mind plays an important role in a student’s quest for knowledge. It helps him learn new things and become better. What are your views on the importance of being curious and inquisitive?
>>   I believe curiosity is directly linked to an individual’s interest in a subject. If you are interested in a subject, you will automatically develop the need to ask questions and probe your teachers or the internet for answers. Curiosity makes one passionate. It demands you to think beyond what you have already known and learnt. It makes one question why a particular phenomenon occurs or what would happen if it did not occur. For some students, it is this curiosity that makes them realize what they would want to pursue in life as it reflects their interest and passion for a subject.

Winners often live in the present. They don’t waste their time lamenting about the past or unnecessarily worrying about the future. How do you ensure that you make the most of your time by being present in the present?
>>   “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.” I am sure this is something a lot of people struggle with, including me. But it is so important to live in the moment. I know it’s easier said than done but what we need to remember is that, time gone is gone. Every second of your day is one that is fleeting and will never come back. You cannot change the past neither can you predict the future but what you can do is, live in the present. I am a person who loves to believe in the ideology of ‘everything happens for a reason’. Every single day of your life gives you an opportunity to learn and grow. All my experiences, good or bad have contributed to my personal and mental growth. Cherish this time. Spend it with your loved ones and always remember to be grateful. Appreciate the little things in life and you will find yourself being grateful for the present.

Self-motivation and self-control seem to be a better predictor of success than IQ in school and beyond. Do you agree? Why?
>>   Yes, I definitely agree with this statement. A lot of the times even the smartest students fail to perform well during their exams in spite of knowing the answers to all the questions. They get nervous and stressed, and go completely blank when they receive the question paper. I am sure we all have been in such a situation at least once in our lifetime wherein we know the answers to all the questions but are just not able to write them down. Therefore it is very important to control our anxiety and stress for it can have a negative impact on our overall performance, but that can only happen from within. People may give you many tips and advices but at the end of the day, the truest form of motivation that you can get is one that comes internally. People who tell themselves that they can do it are the ones who actually do. I always firmly followed the principle ‘over and done with’ once I attempted an exam. In spite of temptation to discuss and check my answers, I never allowed myself to venture and disturb my mental peace.

~  Priya Sarin
priya[at]thestudentsdigest.com

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