If you are facing a big exam for the first time, this QnA is perfect for you.
I’m nervous about exams. How will I do well?
Have you ever seen an oarsman rowing a boat in a river? The river is much bigger than his boat, far more powerful too. He has no control on the rier. However the boatman successfully crosses the river, time after time. And lands up on the shore exactly where he intends to. How?
The boatman doesn’t think of the river. He doesn’t ponder upon its vastness or its strength. He thinks only of his oars. He looks at the river, and decides which direction to wield his oars in, and with what strength. That’s it.
And in this fashion, with repeated rowing, he crosses the river. Every time!
This system of examination is like a river too. You may think that, were it not so deep, you could have changed its course. Or that its so strong that you cannot do anything to fight it.
But you don’t have to fight it. You just have to cross it. Neither can you change its course, nor its velocity. Your mind is your boat, and your thoughts your oars. You just need to decide what purpose you will set your thoughts to, how you will use them. How will you remember, and how much. How will you write, and how much. You just need to decide what will you do TODAY. Everyday. That’s all it takes – What will you do today?
But this daily rigour may not be possible. What if I get distracted?
Occasionally, you might row wrongly as well. The boat will go astray. If you are skilled, you can correct the course, but crossing the same point will take twice as long. So, the price of every wrong thought is your own time. You may want to cross the river in 15 days, but end up spending 20.
If 15 days is your target, every row must be in its exact place.
I really don’t know. It appears to be too overwhelming
Thousands of boatmen cross hundreds of rivers every day. Millions of children appear for exams each year. This isn’t difficult. Once you accept the river as your friend, the journey will be as if you are partners. Once you are in the river, you can either fight it, or make it your friend. Either you can focus on the whirlpool, or on the beautiful waves. If you think of the goodness, you’ll row accordingly. If you focus on the whirlpool, whirlpools will appear in your path.
The river is a part of our life. Every person has to be a boatman. Your time is now. Unfurl the sails, wield your paddles, the shores await.