Success Story #7

Name :Madhumita Ayyangar

Grade in 12th – 97.8 %

School – Smt Sulochanadevi Singhania school Place – Thane, Maharashtra

Madhumitha Answer’s

1.Have you set any goals during your 10th or 12th?

No , nothing in Particular.

2. What’s your insight on Hard work Vs Smart work?

I strongly believe that Hard work always pays off in the end. However, working Hard over something one is uninterested  is pointless since the process won’t be enjoyed at all. Smart work is ideally the best ! For example instead of studying for hours together without interest and concentration, study when you are in the mood without being stressed, maybe it would work better than wasting your hours. Work hard in a smart way 🙂

3. How did you Manage exam stress? How did you handle your fears?

In my tenth grade I stressed over a couple of subjects (like Math, physics and geography) than my 12th grade, reasons being I had to work more to grasp the concepts and was purely uninterested. I knew I had to work hard and that there was no other option and I made up my mind and worked towards it which eventually reduced my stress. I did not fear anything to be honest because my parents were very supportive and not academic oriented. In my 12th grade I chose Humanities Stream at Smt Sulochanadevi Singhania School and did fairly well without any stress or fear.

4.How many hours did you sleep during exam time?

An average of 6 to 7 hours

5.Were you allowed/permitted to use gadgets? If yes span of time?

During my tenth I did not have a personal gadget such as a phone or Laptop. In my 12th grade, Yes I was allowed to use gadgets and there were no time restrictions imposed on me. However, I had to ensure I was not on my phone throughout the night and sleep as early as possible.

6.How conscious were you towards accessing it?

I was a little conscious.

7.    What was your self-talk/mindset when you faced challenges?

Whenever I felt Low or stressed about something I used to do breathing exercises and calm myself down. I used to tell myself that things would get better and it’s okay to make a mistake or face a challenge, just focus on the solution part. Sometimes if I faced a challenge which was difficult to deal with I would talk about it with my mother and let It out. That’s how I found all my solutions.

8. What’s one thing that motivated you to bounce back?

Along with my academics I am also into professional Bharatnatyam and I always had to strike a balance between the two, my academics and dancing which helped me stay motivated.

9. Were you independent in studying, framing your time schedule or your         parents guided you in the process?

I would lie if I would say that I was completely independent, my parents especially my mother guided me throughout my tenth Grade. After that I was more independent in framing my time schedules and managing my study.

10. How many hours in a day did you spend towards preparation towards preparation for Board exams ?

I did not study everyday and am not a regular study person. Towards the end as my board exams were nearing I used to try and study for maybe 2 to 3 hours a day on an average or study more hours for one day and less for another.

11.Did you practice mock test and previous years papers?

Yes I used to practice previous years papers with my friends orally.

12. Are you an early riser?

No am not an early riser.

13. How did you manage your overwhelming?

I was not that Overwhelmed !

14. Do you have a physical exercise routine?  If yes What is it?

I have been practicing Dance for a long time now which is my routine physical activity through out the week and some times on the weekends too. Apart from that I workout but it’s erratic

15.  What mantra or approach that you believe and follow in achieving your success path?

I don’t believe I have achieved success at such a young age and there is a lot of things I have to learn . It’s not out of modesty that am saying this but for real lot of things which we don’t find in our textbooks are yet to be learnt. Mantra (maybe) – Avoid procrastination and don’t get addicted to your gadgets or to any person and focus on yourself 🙂

16. Any rewards or recognition in the way?

Appreciations are the best way to recognise one’s efforts and am very fortunate to have received it from all the people I look upto 🙂

Her Parents Sujatha and Ashwin says

I think we must understand as parents that Children already face a lot of pressure from school, peers and sometimes by themselves, hence we should be the last persons stressing them out ! I used to help my daughter frame her schedule and advise her on how to go about it but I never restricted anything. She was very sincere with her dancing as well as her academics and we never had to say anything to her. By the time she went to her 12th grade she was more mature and handled things on her own. We were extremely Close to her and had open conversations about anything and everything which made her feel secured. We always stood by her decisions and guided her throughout !