HYDERABAD: With the last of intermediate exams getting over, students now face the decision to choose an undergraduate course, which can very well set them on a path for life. A majority of students plan ahead, sometimes even as early as secondary school level. But when the time comes to zero in on a course, the enormous options available leave their minds in a daze. From engineering to a Bachelors in arts or hospitality management, the choices are endless and time to decide limited. TravelOnce you make a list of courses to apply for, the next step is writing entrance exams. Students not only appear for exams in the city, but in other states as well. Says Shalini Nair, a student who just wrote 10 entrances in engineering and medicine in Hyderabad, Kerala and Maharashtra, “I’m still confused about my future. I am exhausted due to the constant travelling between exam centres.” Cost However, filling out application forms is not only complicated, but also expensive. With each form costing at least Rs 500, Shalini has spent more than Rs 8000, not to mention the cost of shuttling between cities. And what more, she has a few other exams lined up! Forms for a degree course may not cost more than `150, but the desire to apply for numerous such courses add up to a big amount. Furthermore, students like to apply for all the reputed colleges in every corner of the country, just to be on the safe side. DateWhile the price factor is one thing to worry about, there is also the issue of dates clashing. With so many entrances happening at the same time in different venues, it is only natural that a date will clash and you have to cancel one of them. Aarti Wilson, a student who has just finished her 12th exams, agrees. “I wrote seven exams for engineering, including ISRO and BITSAT. I had to write one in Kerala, but cancelled at the last moment since it clashed with EAMCET. The application form was such a waste.” Another victim of this chaos was Ashutosh Pandey, who appeared for medicine, business management and biotechnology entrances in the city as well as in Maharashtra, Nagpur, Lucknow and Bhopal! “I am trying in as many places as possible, and had to cancel the entrance in Lucknow due to a less than minimum gap between two exams, making travel difficult. I can’t even begin to calculate the overall expense that’s gone to waste.” While most kids still seem to think of engineering as the easiest way to a secure a future, some are moving on to uncharted territories. Ayesha Rana, another youth who is done with her intermediate exam shares, “I would like to take up advertising or television studies, but there are so many other courses, and even greater number of colleges that I am thoroughly confused.” DilemmaApparently, the accessibility of so many options at hand is as much a curse as a blessing. Kids are confused as to which course is best for them. And why is that? Margret Francis, a Social Management lecturer from St Francis college explains, “Students are unaware of their potential, neither do they receive proper counselling. Moreover, all these new courses like culinary arts and animation play up on the glamour effect, luring kids with education trips abroad and promises of getting placed in international companies. No wonder they feel the need to try everything.” Shrey Shah, another youth busy with entrance exams adds, “There is so much competition around that you are no longer sure where you will fit, and what’s best for you. Not everybody has a high IQ! And the constant pressure to make the right decision and to get into the best college is just too much.”
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