I've written an olio of exams, ranging from design to engineering, economics to psychology and finally media studies. Though I've always been clear about my lack of interest in studying most of the above mentioned courses, I ended up giving all of them, *For Fun*
हम भी Artist
Writing the design exam was a clear example of me succumbing to friend-spiration. Being a newly launched exam, I saw most of my folks giving it; and particularly since I presumptuously prided my art skills too much, I decided to give it. Ironically the design exam never asked us to draw, much to my disdain and now I suppose the outcome can be plausibly comprehended.
मेरा Badass Moment
Writing engineering entrance exams were the best. 'I-IT, N-IT, SH-IT'
I'd study one day before the exam, and when I say study, I'd open my crisp and printing-press fresh coaching class books and wonder what would have happened if I'd stayed on and slogged like the others. There's a nano-second of regret, I wont deny; but then it's quickly overshadowed by the cloud of my big dreams, for which, I'd dropped the plan in the first case. Rummaging for books, I'd eventually find something more interesting, from the treasures of my cupboard to fancy my thoughts with.
So, the next day, I'd walk into the hall with nothing, but a pen. (Not even a spare, because... well, engineering exams were my stage to feel badass) I'd get a sadistic pleasure in seeing serious aspirants burying their faces into fat Sharmas and Vermas and I'd torment them with a nonchalant smiles. I'd write the exam, with whatever little knowledge that I'd retained after the boards and pride myself in being the first to complete the exam in the centre. ( At least first in something! #WIN )
With nothing to lose, I'd walk out like a hero; in my head a glorious background music plays, my hair flies, there is an inexplainable joy that pounds, I hear the worried chatter of serious aspirants discussing the answers and I smirk. A friend of mine, asks me what i'd done for a particular question. I shrug my shoulders (rather foolishly, now I think ) but in my head it's a character defining moment, a mind voice says, 'Worried little JEE aspirants, this ain't my race. A, B, C or D... Means nothing to me.'
Sincere Last Minute Efforts.
For most of the media studies entrances (Probably the only entrance I'd given sincerely) I needed GK. As a regular and diligent reader of Bombay Times, my GK skills needed MILD brushing up. So I bought a book, a non-intimidating 200 paged book on GK; that I believed would equip me well enough for the entrances I'd have to give. As I flipped through the pages, I stared in disbelief at the ocean of names and dates, ministers and ministries, places and awards, inventors and inventions, largest this, longest that and the sprawling world of GK that I was supposed to learn for ONE exam? My friend and I still tried. We spent our evenings at a park, discussing Presidents and CEOs, capitals and new policies, for two whole weeks. But I think it was a stroke of tragedy that none of the things we'd studied ever came in the exam.
Nevertheless as the college admission mayhem nears an end, I feel it's been a mad, mad journey, with bouts of tumult, mild let downs and unforeseen surprises.
Cheers to new beginnings.
