Tag Archives: student life

Get Ready, Get Set And Go- Feel At Home In College

The time has come for the bird to fly out of the nest. School and board exams are finally over, with the feeling of freedom, excitement and feeling grown up. However, for both parent child, it comes with slight anxiety. The fear of the unknown is something that will always be present, and like all all things in life, the best approach is be as prepared as possible.
1. Research
Do some in depth research in terms of the course you are applying for, and if it matches with your abilities and interests.
If you are moving to another city, think about details like housing etc, in advance. If possible, try and visit the college, and ask people for feedback about the college, how they are liking things, nice places to hang out around etc. It’s never too late to change your mind, in-case you are really uncomfortable. Connect with your seniors!
2. Be yourself
The best and most important advice anyone can give you,is to be yourself. Do what you want, wear what you are comfortable in, you will soon find people who are like minded. There is no point trying to fit in by pretending to be someone else as that will never make you happy. Accept who you are, and be proud of your personality. Remember that everyone is nervous at some point or the other, it’s perfectly natural.
3. Take your time
Change is difficult yet inevitable, and no matter how excited you are to go to college, it’s always difficult to step out of the comfort zone and be thrown into new situations. Give yourself time to settle in, and don’t be worried if things don’t fall into place immediately. They will if you allow them to, let things sink in. Evaluate your situation after your first year, and if you still feel out of place act on it.
3. Try new things
The best way to get comfortable in a new situation is to get involved. Magic occurs when you step out of your comfort zone. Try things, go for different club and society meets. If people invite you to hang out, go. Some things you will dislike, and never go back to but you never know what you will enjoy and when the moment will come, where you realise you love college and don’t want the journey to end.
4. Trust your support system
There’s no harm in feeling out of place in college, or feeling low and down at any point. It’s important to make sure you stay in touch with your family and friends, and communicate how you are feeling.
This is also the time you as parents need to keep an eye out and make sure you have created a safe space for your child to talk to you freely, no matter what the issue is. It’s important to make sure you don’t jump to conclusions or judge your child. Remember you are your kids biggest support and you must make sure they can rely on you more than anyone else. Keep in touch, and ask gently how things are going regularly.
The best is yet to come, cherish these days and make the most of it!

Welcome to your new family at Vidya Mandir!

It’s that time of the year again! A new batch is all set to walk in. We’re getting ready to welcome those new faces, new goals and new ambitions as they walk through the doors of Vidya Mandir. Here, we don’t see numbers, nor do we see percentages. We see young individuals, people with potential, people with different talents and abilities but the same spirit – to grow and develop!

Here everyone is a winner, because we aren’t an institution based simply on academics. We believe in harbouring a healthy personal relationship with each of our students and we go beyond the conventional norms of teaching(the alumni can tell you all about it!) The student and teacher share a close relationship where a student can approach the teacher freely for his/her doubts and have them solved. There’s no hierarchy or one way communication, instead we believe in encouraging a free flowing two way communication to ensure the student has completely imbibed what is being taught. This is with respect to academics as well as personal life! We make it a point to understand our students, and believe that each individual is different. One size does not fit all, which is why we spend time in learning more about what our students truly enjoy. If you don’t believe this, ask some of our alumini, they’ll tell you how we still stay in touch over dinners, phone calls and news of achievements throughout the year, even after a decade of being a part of Vidya Mandir 🙂

The style of teaching here is also very open and interactive. We don’t just prepare our students for examinations, we believe in education year round. Even holidays are meant for active learning and interactions, study groups are encouraged and we encourage our students to learn through each other’s mistakes and experiences. There are weekly tests and revisions that ensure that every concept is well understood and imbibed before the final revisions just prior to the examination. We believe that if you study consistently and are in touch with your concepts, then there’s no room for panic! The style of learning here is such that you can freely ask your doubts and have them answered, there is no question that is ‘stupid’ or ‘silly’ and there in no limit to the number of questions you can ask!

We welcome you into our family with open arms, hoping that you can help us help you realise your dreams and develop not only your academic performance, but personality and character as well so that you’re a well rounded individual that can grow and progress in life!

Happy learning

Coping With Failure

Failure is inevitable in everyone’s life. No matter how smart, focused or hardworking one is, a time will come where things won’t go the way we expected them to. While growing up, failures are a common occurrence.  The only way to battle this is to prepare your student or child, and be the support required when the time comes.
“Failure is a stepping stone to success” a common phrase we’ve heard time and again, but it must be noted that this is true only when one doesn’t get stuck on that stone, but merely uses it as a part of the journey he/she is on. Failure is good only if it means you’ve ended up learning something from it!
Here are a few tips, to make sure your child/student always is able to overcome and achieve the best!
1. Be supportive, and let your child take in the situation. 
Many times, as adults, it happens many times when we feel that failure could have been avoided and it was completely the child’s fault. This is a natural feeling, as most of the time you are right. However, at this moment the child is already going through some sorrow, giving him/her this information will only push him/her into a worse mental state. Let your child recover, tell them it’s okay and maybe share a story of your own failure from your childhood , and how today you barely even remember the consequences of the same. Assure your child that everything can be fixed, and you are always standing by their side to help them out.
2. Think of constructive advice
What is done is done, and the results can’t be changed. The only way ahead is to move on, stronger and more prepared. Look at the situation, reflect to find growth ideas and formulate a good plan to take things forward. Make sure to plan time to relax and de-stress too. Also, keep in mind what works for your child or student. They will only be able to keep up with the plan, if it works. Different people work in different ways, and true potential will only be achieved once you figure out the simplest and most efficient way of working.
The tone and manner of giving advice should also be taken care, it’s advice and help that is being offered, not a command. Take in the opinions of your child/student, and remember you have to be the support for them. You are a team.
3. Prep for the worst case. 
Make sure it’s clear to your child/student that failure is not a one time thing, it will occur in some way again, and there is no choice but to accept it. At the same time it’s important to understand that any failure is never as bad as it seems at the given time and can always be worked out of.
Failure is normal, failure is necessary, that’s all that you need your student/child to know. Reducing fear of failure will also reduce chances of failure, and help him/her cope better when required.

Sound body and sound mind is the key to success and happiness

The clock is ticking, the pressure is building, not only do you need to work hard but also show results. The competition never gets less, and the stress only doubles as you grow older. So what do you do?
Here are a few tips to beat the anxiety this summer!
1. Talk to people:
The most important thing is to find a support system that helps you grow. They could be your parents, teachers or friends, or anyone else you feel will give you constructive criticism when needed and at other times will give you that pep talk that will motivate you. Teachers in school or classes know you as a person as well as your academic strengths and area of development and so can show you the gaps you need to cover and well as celebrate what you are amazing at. There is no shame in admitting you are not in the best mental state and need help. It is a normal thing that most people go through.
2. Find your stress buster
All work and no play…well you know how that one goes. Your mind requires a break at regular intervals, and not one that leaves you overthinking. The best thing to do is find a form of physical activity that you enjoy to release the stress. Even something as simple as playing some loud music and dancing can help take out any anxiety you face.
3. Listen to your body.
Sound body and sound mind is the key to happy and healthy life. Studying 20 hours a day won’t help you in the long run, but a good 8 hours a night of sleep definitely will. Studies prove that students academic performance is directly related to their routine of eating and sleeping. If you feel tired or mentally exhausted, take the break, whereas if you think you can push yourself, go for it. Nobody knows your body and self better for you. Don’t plan your life according to what anyone else says, just like we all have different personalities, we also have different learning styles. Figure out what you need to succeed.
4. Be practical
At the end of the day, your mental health lies in your hands alone. Obviously external help may make it easier but in the end it’s up to you to strike a balance in your mind. One of the easiest things to do is every time you are stressed think about how this will affect you in 10 years. Are these scores and examinations what define you as a person or what your success will be? They definitely will aid you and make things easier but it is not the end of your world if things don’t go exactly as planned.
However, mental and physical health is thin ice, once the downward spiral begins it’s hard to pull yourself out of it. Success is not measured by the wit of a person, but by the way in which he uses it.
Have a productive summer!

How to smoothly transition from school to college

While making the leap from high school to college, it’s super important to make sure that you land safely. It’s not just hop skip and jump, since college is a whole other ball game altogether. That being said, you don’t need to get nervous or jittery about taking the next natural step in progression, but rather embrace it with excitement. You know what they say, ‘Your college days will stay with you forever’. That being said, here are a few things that you should keep in mind when you’re starting your college life and that could be of help to you in this transition period –

  1. Master the art of Time Management – You can transition into college effortlessly just by optimally utilizing your time. A lot of students love the freedom, the hostel life so much that they end up wasting half the day in bed and get stuck in the vicious circle of trying to match the attendance towards the end of the semester, clueless of what’s been taught. Attend your lectures, participate in extracurricular activities and make time to blow off steam with your friends too. It’s all about the right balance.
  1. Don’t be afraid to fail – This doesn’t just limit to your grades or academics, and no we don’t mean that you don’t need to study. What this means is that you shouldn’t be afraid to try out new things. Hobbies, sports, subjects, try out whatever attracts your interest. You’re still finding your feet and you’ll never know what your forte is or could be if you don’t try. Take that risk, you never know what you might learn. 
  1. Find a Mentor – There’s nothing that smoothens the process of settling into college like having an experienced mentor to fall back on. Find a professor or teacher that’s passionate about the same subject as you, or a senior that you can relate or connect with and don’t be afraid to talk to them about your experiences and ask them for advice.
  1. BE SOCIAL – This cannot be emphasised enough! You can’t be in your shell and keep to yourself when you join college, it’s the easiest to make friends in the start. You don’t want to be struggling to enter groups that have already been formed later on and not know what’s up. Learn with each other and grow together, talk to your peers and find a group of individuals that you’re most comfortable talking to. Talk to everyone and maintain friendly relations with everyone. Help whoever you can, it comes back to you!

Stay in touch with your family and friends back home, share your day with everyone, and see how easy it gets to enter the world of college 🙂

How to best support your kids while prepping for exams!

The two years of tenth and twelfth are quite crucial in a students life, and in a parents life as well. They can be easygoing and smooth, or stressful and difficult for everyone depending on how it is handled. Then comes the time to sit for the entrance exams. These can really stress the children out! But don’t stress, there is a way to avoid it. Plan ahead for this time of your life, and make things better for both yourself and your child! Below are some tips to ensure a productive and happy year ahead-
1. Understand your child’s way of working.
Every child is different, and works in a different way. She/He will only be able to maximise her/his potential if they use the method that works out the best for them. Some people work well in the morning, others at night. For some reading it aloud helps, while others prefer to make notes. Sit with your child and see what learning style works out the best for him/her. Be attentive.
2. Set realistic goals.
When making a schedule or a plan, set a goal that is achievable. Even if it is a slower pace, it is important to allow a child to succeed at sticking to a schedule rather than rushing through it. This will also boost the child’s morale, and encourage him/her to study further. Nobody knows the child better than himself/herself. Allow them to create a schedule, set goals, and then reflect on what went wrong, where exactly there was a breakdown of understanding, so that they can re-do that specific topic. The goals could be aligned to the school/college schedule, but should not be bound to them.
3. Work smart, not hard.
The quality of the work done is more important the quantity even in an exam. The schedule should not be too tightly packed where the child is physically sitting and studying, but the mental intake is zero. Working 5 hours a day with full concentration and energy is more productive than working 20 hours with little energy or concentration. Allow your child to take breaks, go out and enjoy too. When the mind is not stressed is the only time it can take in information. Working throughout the year, in this manner is smarter than cramming right before the exam. The pressure on the child is also lessened in this way.
4. Support your child in the best way.
This time is scary and puts a lot of pressure on your child. Support your child in the best way and in the way required to your child. If you are putting your child in a tuition or coaching class, talk to the teacher before hand and make sure it is a healthy learning environment. Ensure you make it clear with your child that there is no competition with others in the class. Keep encouraging your child and try to find innovative solutions to the problems they face academically. Most importantly, touch base and talk to your child on  a regular basis.
5. Think about 5 years later.
As important as marks are in a child’s life, to open doors to better opportunities, it is not the end goal. Both the mental heath of you and your child is more important. Focus on developing and identifying skills that will help your child get opportunities. If you are stressed out, the child can sense it and it affects them as well. Every time you feel stressed or your child feels stressed, remind yourself or them, that these scores do not define them or you. There is much more to life. Aim at overall development.

HOW TO HAVE A PRODUCTIVE VACATION

It’s nearly holiday time, and even though we’re in the middle of our exams, we can’t help but think about the summer vacations. When it comes to vacations you
don’t need a lesson or advice on how to have fun, but all play and no work isn’t the smartest way
forward in the bigger picture, don’t you think? After all life is all about striking the perfect balance!
So when you’re going to have a month or more of merriment, why not add a little productive
element to it as well? No, that does not mean you grill yourself with text books, or even necessarily
touch upon them unless you’re in the ninth or eleventh grades and have board preparations to
commence. Take it easy, have fun while learning, and we guarantee that you will have a superb vacation!
1 – Read a book – Whether you’re a kid or an adult, there’s nothing quite as productive as reading a
book. You can pick from several different genres and pick a book that expands your horizons and
teaches you something new or simply adds perspective. Reading books introduces you to a new world, and you’ll be amazed at how it gets you to be curious and excited about  what life has to offer in the form of travel, food, culture, history, religion, or even life lessons for that matter. A book can be your best friend.
2 – Pick a Hobby – We’ve heard this a million times, but hardly any of the kids act on it. Pick a hobby
at the start of your vacations and master it as time goes by! This can be anything, right from playing
football or basketball or any sport, to learning the guitar, or even collecting coins and stamps. Again, this
adds to your skill-set and molds you better as a human being. How? Sports teach you life lessons
probably no book ever can, and music and other hobbies also teach you various things such as the
importance of consistency or the need for patience in life. Yes, it’s true, life lessons can be found in the simplest of things.
3 – Start Prepping for next year – Once the syllabus and books for the next year or the remaining
term are out, spending around 1-1.5 hours of your day just flipping through and generally reading
the next few chapters will make life a lot easier for you in the assignments and tests to follow. You
essentially end up doing the same work over a period of time, but just under a lot less stress than
you would if you had to last minute learn everything and were looking at it for the first time! Instead, take out those books during the vacation, see what’s in store for the year, and prepare yourself mentally to face the new year.
4 – Learn a new language – Remember that one language you found so fascinating? It’s time to learn
it! What better way to make use of your free time than add to your language arsenal! Spanish,
German, French – take your pick! A new language will also be beneficial to your professional career.
5 – Volunteer – If you have a lot of free time on hand then an ideal way to spend a small chunk of it
would be to volunteer with an NGO in your favourite area of interest. Could be with old people, or
pets, or a rescue center, holds a lot of weight on your C.V. later on as well as you look to push for
further studies.
Sounds like a plan? So tell us, what are you going to opt for this summer?

5 resolutions you need to make as parents

It’s 2018 – A new year and a new opportunity for you as parents to pledge to bring your children up
exactly how you imagined to, and make sure that you do whatever is in your power to lead them
towards a brighter tomorrow. Of course, you can’t start a New Year without New Year resolutions!
When it comes to parenting, we recommend that you make a separate specific set of resolutions
towards your kids! To make life easier, we’re listing a few obvious ones down below –
1. Regulate emotions – This is very important when it comes to parenting. It’s the easiest thing
in the world to get carried away and lose your cool or get over emotional over different
instances, but much harder to be emotionally stable no matter what the situation is. Being calm
 gives your child a level headed approach to situations and something to
look up to so that when he/she faces adversity they can use reasoning and logic rather than
emotions to analyse and then act.
2. Be grateful – It’s good to be ambitious and want more for you and your child, but it’s equally
important to be grateful. Gratitude is a key attribute you also want your children to grow up
with, but more importantly it’s something that will strengthen your bond with them. Rather
than finding faults in their doings or counting their shortcomings, be grateful for their talents
and strengths and encourage them every day.
3. Don’t compare – Each child is different and special in his or her own way. As parents it’s your
duty to appreciate and embrace your child for who they are, and not bring their spirits down
by comparing them to their peers.
4. Give Freedom and Respect – You get what you give, and that holds true when it comes to
your kids. Give them love, freedom and respect and you will receive the same in abundance!
5. Inculcate Independence – Start training your kids step by step to be independent from the
very beginning. The easiest thing for a parent to do is do the tasks for their children, but that
isn’t in the kids’ best interests. Let them be independent and learn what’s good by doing
rather than seeing.
Have you got your list of resolutions ready? Share them with us in the comments below!

Going away to a hostel? Don’t worry, a new, exciting life awaits.

When it comes to taking the next step the education cycle, it’s always a question for the parents whether or not to send the child away to a hostel. Even the children are apprehensive at the thought! Well, you can’t blame them for not wanting to get out of their comfort zone, it’s human nature after all. No one wants to leave the comfort of their homes and move out to a new place. But going away to a hostel to study has its own pros which outweigh the cons by a huge margin. Let’s discuss these further-

The good part about going away to a hostel is that you get exposed to a whole new world, a whole new lifestyle. Till now, it was not just you but your entire family involved in almost every choice you that you made. Hostel life means brings about a new level of independence! You learn how to take your own decisions, you learn how to own up to your mistakes, and most importantly you learn how to watch out for each other. Hostel life teaches you team-work and leadership in ways you couldn’t even imagine! 

Another good part about living in a hostel is that it isn’t just you who’s going through this period of change and transition from the pampered life to the solo life, it’s a whole lot of like-minded people of the same age group, experiencing similar feelings which helps you bond with each other and find a family away from your own. It’s no replacement of course, but it makes life that much easier to deal with and a little more enjoyable.

Hostel life gives you a sense of belonging, and a sense of attachment to your peers. These people come to care about you, since you’re practically living with them and learning, eating and growing together. You have people looking out for you, people to interact and grow with and ultimately you guys learn through each other’s experiences and mistakes.

Hostel life also teaches you one very important life lesson – Money Management.  Living in a hostel means living in a budget, and not running to your parents every time you want to eat, drink or buy something. It teaches you to budget and plan your finances and spend your money judiciously.

All in all, the hostel life is one that every kid should experience for at least a few years, and take as much learning from it as possible, so that they can continue molding themselves into able, responsible students that know how to find the right balance in life!