To cultivate the reading habit in students, schools should initiate student book clubs. Schools can start hosting in-class reading sessions where students go to the library and pick a book to read. The teachers could then hand out homework on the books that the students have read, and conduct group activities so that reading physical copies of books will become their habit and a bond between students – a friendship maker!
Mathew George Kandathil (13)
Mahatma Gandhi International School, Ahmedabad

First, schools should revamp their libraries into inviting spaces, offering a diverse range of books and magazines that cater to various interests and reading levels. A well-curated collection ensures that students find topics that resonate with their curiosity. Secondly, integrate reading into the curriculum by assigning relevant materials that complement subjects taught in class. This makes reading a practical and enriching part of their academic journey. Thirdly, embrace technology by providing access to digital resources such as e-books and interactive magazines. Technology not only makes reading more accessible but also engages students through multimedia elements. Lastly, foster a culture of reading through extracurricular activities like book clubs and author visits. These initiatives encourage social interaction and allow students to share their reading experiences, further igniting their interest in books and magazines.
Jigisha Soni (17)
Father Agnel School, Greater Noida

Schools should enrich libraries with diverse, captivating books to spark interest. Dedicate 30 minutes daily to silent reading to nurture a lifelong love for reading. Host inter-house reading competitions and integrate oral segments into language exams to help students develop extensive vocabulary and eloquent speaking skills. Parents must recognize the essential role of fostering reading and speaking abilities in their children so they can converse confidently and navigate communication challenges in the future.
Sara Tamseel Khwaja (14)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Gandhi Maidan, Patna

To spark students’ interest in reading, provide a wide range of books and magazines that cater to their diverse interests. Create inviting reading environments and organize engaging activities like book clubs, reading challenges, and interactive discussions. Incorporate creative projects related to the reading material to make the experience enjoyable. Allow students to choose their reading materials to ensure they are engaged and motivated to read regularly.
Meghna Ghosh (14)
Father Agnel School, Greater Noida

Incorporate reading into the curriculum with creative projects and assignments. Use social media tools to create book-related content and communities. Conduct book fairs, reading competitions, book clubs, etc. to encourage students to create their own stories or book reviews. Provide access to e-readers and audiobooks for varied reading. Provide rewards for reading milestones.
Anshuman Singh (16)
Father Agnel School, Greater Noida

In an age of screens, fostering a love for books among students is crucial. Schools can ignite this passion through interactive book clubs, inviting author sessions, and themed reading weeks. Cosy reading corners and diverse genre offerings further entice exploration. By blending traditional and digital formats, educators ensure accessibility, making the journey from reluctant to avid reader an exciting adventure for every student. By blending technology with timeless paperbacks, schools cultivate a reading culture that not only enriches academic growth but also sparks lifelong curiosity and creativity among the young minds of tomorrow.
Nishka Kashyap (13)
Father Agnel School, Greater Noida

To foster student interest in reading books and magazines, schools can implement engaging book clubs, organize author visits, establish reading challenges with rewards, create cosy reading corners, and host book fairs. Teachers should recommend diverse genres and topics, connect readings to real-world issues, and integrate technology for interactive learning experiences. Encouraging parental involvement and showcasing student book reviews can further stimulate reading enthusiasm.
Shruti Thakur (16)
Father Agnel School, Greater Noida

Schools can implement interesting programmes like book clubs, where students discuss their favourite books with one another, to encourage a love of reading among the pupils. To pique interest, libraries can hold author-interactive workshops or reading challenges with a theme. Interests are also expanded when reading lists include a variety of genres and subjects. Last but not least, creating a relaxing reading space with nooks and access to a range of publications can stimulate discovery even more.
Aviral Yadav (14)
Fr Agnel School, Greater Noida

These interactive activities can make reading a social and enjoyable experience:
Guest Author Visits: Invite authors to speak about their books and writing process.
Reading Rewards: Implement a reward system for completing books or reading challenges.
Digital Integration: Use e-books and audiobooks to cater to tech-savvy students.
Creative Projects: Encourage students to create their own stories or book-related art.
Reading Buddies: Pair older students with younger ones to read together.
Themed Reading Weeks: Organize events around specific themes or genres.
Personalized Book Recommendations: Tailor suggestions based on individual interests.
Dhananjay Mishra (12)
Father Agnel School, Greater Noida

Utilize technology by offering access to e-books, audiobooks, or digital magazines, catering to different learning preferences. Encourage peer recommendations and allow students to suggest books they find interesting, fostering a sense of ownership in their reading choices. Implement reading challenges or competitions with incentives like certificates or small rewards to motivate students to achieve reading milestones.
Lavanya Neeraj (14)
Fr Agnel School, Greater Noida

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A man owned a large comb production business. As he approached old age, he wanted the smartest of his three sons to take over the business. So one day, he summoned his three sons and gave each one a thousand combs, instructing them to sell them at the Buddhist ashrams which he suggested. Upon arriving at their respective ashrams, they were surprised to find that all the inmates of the Ashrams had shaved heads.

Despite the unexpected challenge, they endeavoured to sell the combs, and returned on a specified day to report their progress to their father. The eldest son stated, “I managed to sell ten combs.” When asked how, he replied, “I appealed to the monks’ kindness, asking for assistance in winning the competition.” The second son said, “I sold twenty combs by highlighting their usefulness for scratching their back.” Finally, the third son said he sold all one thousand combs. When questioned about his success, he explained, “I carved the profound sayings of Lord Buddha onto the combs and offered them to visitors, encouraging them to contemplate these words while combing.”

Often, people limit the utility of an object to its original intent. However, with one’s imagination and creativity, one can transcend such constraints and discover the optimal use for everything life offers. The challenge lies in recognizing opportunities and taking advantage of them instead of focusing on limitations. Today the world is frantically looking for smart people. Steve Jobs while recruiting people for his company had said, “It doesn’t make sense to hire smart people and then tell them what to do; we hire smart people so that they can tell us what to do.”

As you embark on this new academic year, one must not forget that like those combs, each student is blessed with numerous gifts — time, talents, teachers, text-books, opportunities and friendships — and is called to optimize one’s potential. In their educational journey, students are not mere recipients of knowledge but are the architects of their future. While parents and teachers offer support, each student is expected to craft their path, utilizing all one’s available resources for a bright future. Schools serve as fertile grounds where students can seize opportunities to discover and sow seeds of their potential, and nurture talents. Every student needs to understand the significance of maximizing time, talents, guidance from teachers, and friendships.

Entering this new school year, The Teenager Today has articles this month to guide you in choosing friends wisely, navigating social media, maintaining a healthy diet, and inspiring you with stories of individuals like Gukesh Dommaraju and Kailash Satyarthi.

The Teenager Today wishes you all a successful academic year!

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Annual vacation is a great time to figure out what an individual is good at. One can spend their holidays reading good books as it would help build one’s personality, learning music or dance. And it’s not just about extracurricular activities, one can also join an abacus class to improve one’s mathematical ability or spend some quality time cooking as it has been proven to increase happiness. One can also spend time writing poems and articles. And last but not the least, and the most important, is to focus on physical health as ‘it is health that is the real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver’. And finally, spending time with our loved ones is like a cherry on the cake!
Gauri Sharma (16)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

Holidays are the best time to take a break from studies and pursue our hobbies, spend quality time with family, collect new information, improve our physical health, develop our skills, destress ourselves, become a volunteer, or take up a part-time job, keep ourselves fit, and plan for the next semester, analyse the previous year’s mistakes and overcome them with the best strategy for the next semester. This annual holiday, students can collect the best memories of their life. These are the best beneficial ways for any student to spend their annual vacation in their whole life.
Aparajita Mani (13)
Naval Children School, NSB Visakhapatnam

During the annual vacation, we don’t have the burden of school exams and studies on them, so we can utilise it for a good purpose. We can spend our days performing art forms like painting, dance, music, and even learn a language. Reading a novel or a good book also widens our knowledge and is a great way to spend our time. We can even study some books of further classes. If possible, we can also go to tourist places as it helps us to refresh ourselves and explore the various places in our country. Since our mother serves us from dawn to dusk, we can help her in household chores. These are the days which give us a wonderful opportunity to perform the work we are interested in.
Anwesha Ajay (12)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

After a tiring schedule of exams, we get annual holidays which is a session break for students. But sadly, most students think that annual holidays are meant for enjoyment and leisure time without actually knowing their benefits and advantages. Students could spend their annual vacation in many beneficial ways. They could prepare themselves for the next session with the help of previous question papers available online and they could also brush up their skills further more for perfection which has been in a dearth due to excessive study hours. They can also enhance their life survival skills by attending adventure camps which can help them to get out of their comfort zone.
Ananya Mohanty (14)
SAI International School, Bhubaneswarl

Annual breaks, for many students, mean relaxation, whether he is a pre-schooler, a middle schooler, a high schooler or a college student. Students can spend their time on hobbies and develop new skills. But for a high-schooler or an academically weak student or a college attendee, taking everything into consideration, it would be much better and beneficial if they spent their time studying. On the starting of the new session, it will prove helpful to them in understanding things thoroughly because their basic concepts and understanding will be strong. However, for the ones who will pursue their hobbies, they should work hard and excel in whatever they do.
Rudrani Singh (15)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

Who doesn’t love vacations? Everyone does, especially children. When annual vacations come, parents want their children to have a vacation that is beneficial for everyone. There are many ways for a beneficial vacation — visits to historical places, temples, or even just staying at home and learning new skills, or trying some new skills outdoors such as skydiving, etc. In this way, children will be able to learn and experience things which can be beneficial in their future.
Aastha (14)
St Joseph’s Convent School, Jalandhar

Vacations are the most incredible days in a student’s life. They allow us to explore new things and relax. Vacations at proper intervals are especially necessary for young people who are engaged in laborious works. They give our mind and body rest from everyday life. Holidays, spent right, will help us to go back to our work with zeal and vivacity. Here are some of the best ways we can spend our annual vacations:

1. Spend quality time with friends and family.
2. Learn new activities.
3. Pursue a hobby.
4. Take plenty of rest.
5. Read a good book.
6. Learn time management skills.
7. Work out.
8. Travel.
9. Try out different recipes and cuisine of different countries.10. And the most interesting thing you can do is to learn a new language.

Sneha Sharma (14)
St Mary’s Convent Inter College, Prayagraj

The annual vacation is a time for teenagers to get ready for the upcoming session, but most teenagers don’t know how to utilise their time in a beneficial way and end up wasting their precious time. To avoid this, the best way is to prepare a proper schedule. Students can pursue their hobbies such as drawing or reading books and give a couple of hours to study their school subjects. Studying is necessary during this period as children don’t bear their school’s burden and can easily acquire more information. Next, they should limit the use of mobiles and television as teenagers these days spend their time mostly on those. Further, they can add a period of regular exercising and socialising, so that they can be both physically and mentally fit.
Aadya Kumar (13)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

All the schools have an annual vacation after the end of the session, and students get a lot of time to enjoy these days. Students can develop some hobbies, try different activities, spend time with their family members, interact with new people and enhance their skills within this time period. They can use every day to improve themselves in different fields. They should not waste their time on electronic devices but should do some physical activities to improve their health.
Ariba Fatma (16)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

During our vacation, we can utilize our free time by doing that which we can’t do in our routine days. We can spend our leisure time accomplishing hobbies like classical music, dance, painting, creative writing, etc. We can lend our helping hands to our parents in their household chores which also help to improve our various skills. We can assist poor children in completing their home assignments or by tutoring those who can’t afford to go to tuition.
Harsargam Kaur (13)
St Joseph’s Convent School, Jalandhar

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Exam stress or test anxiety involves a combination of excessively negative feelings, worry and dread about test performance and often interferes with normal learning and lowers exam performance. It is prevalent amongst students all over the world. The words ‘pressure’ and ‘stress’ are often used interchangeably, but in fact they are quite different.

Pressure can be positive and useful to complete deadlines or to help somebody avoid danger. However, when pressure is prolonged, it can be negative, and depending on how the individual perceives it and reacts to it, it can lead to the development of stress.

Exam stress is a natural reaction to too much pressure and can come from a number of sources, viz., young people themselves, comparisons with others, wanting to reach over-ambitious goals, pressure to excel in an exam from family members and peer pressure or pressure from teachers.

Symptoms of exam stress or test anxiety

Some people feel pressure and develop stress symptoms more readily than others. When someone is faced with increased pressure (in this case at exam time) their body can go into a response which releases increased amounts of stress chemicals in the body. This can lead to various symptoms including:

• Feeling cranky and irritable.
• Feeling inadequate and negative self-talk.
• Problems sleeping or waking up from sleep.

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We all love travelling, don’t we? Let’s recollect one of all our favourite times of the year — our summer vacation, a month-long holiday, for which we start planning months prior to it. The list is as long as the number of hours to reach our holiday destination, isn’t it? But as we travel to our destination, sometimes we still forget something or miss out on something. But do you give up going on holiday? Never! Instead we quickly tell ourselves that we shall be even better-prepared the next time.

You must be wondering, I have been talking about travelling and packing, but the topic states ‘Studying’ and ‘Exam’. So now let us understand this Train from Studying to Exam, which is one of its kind. We all get jitters during our exams, as very often we are never prepared for it. But when you plan and study, you automatically become super confident.

Let’s create a simple itinerary which can be followed to make this journey smooth. Start with making a combination of subjects which are your favourite and the least favourite, then choose the time of the day when you are most active.

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Author: Dr Sajith Cyriac, SSP
Publisher: Better Yourself Books
Publication year: 2022
Pages: 114; Price: Rs 100

‘The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.’

The above quote by Aristotle in this action-oriented book is hard-hitting. How many students today want to gain a distinction in their exams but yet want to put in no effort for the same? We need to learn that what comes easy won’t last and what lasts does not come easy. In this age of instant messaging and instant shopping, Dear Students: Your Pathway to Excellence by Dr Sajith Cyriac, Vice Principal of St Paul’s College Bangalore, educates students that the recipe for success is made tasty by the salt of one’s sweat, tears and hard work.

The book is a series of pep talks in the form of letters to young people wishing to educate them on the different ways to study smart and not long. Topics such as exam stress, study timetable management, peer pressure, school-college dropouts, self-education, memory triggers, etc., are dwelt upon in a simple, quick and precise manner. The writing is engaging and profound, which teaches students the importance of sometimes putting that smartphone down and knowing the difference between knowledge and basic information.

College students can even use it to induce them to goal-directed behaviour. According to Dr Cyriac, practice is a miracle waiting to happen. Stop procrastinating and buy this reflective book to change your study habits. Interpret your study schedule cognitively and responsibly with this life-disciplining self-help book. Learn the difference between positive and negative stress in this world of mass-produced distinctions in board exams — marks are not everything, education is. Don’t stop when you are exhausted; stop when you are done with your work. Revolutionize your school life and your personal relationships with your peers now with Dear Students: Your Path to Excellence.

Available at Better Yourself Books and all St Paul Book Centres in India

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Teenagers commit suicide usually because of their studies, lack of motivation, and scolding from parents, friends’ circle, bullying, etc. People often fail to understand the mental state of a teenager. Teenage is a time in life when the individual is very sensitive emotionally. This affects the future of the individual as this is the golden period of a student’s life. Some teens find it very easy to cope with everything, while others find it difficult. This can be prevented if those around the adolescent try to understand his/her sensitive mental state. They should talk to the adolescent about how they are feeling. Parents should discuss any problems with the teens. Teens should pursue hobbies to feel less depressed. Negative thoughts often cause teens to choose the wrong path, causing them to hurt themselves. Better parenting, pep-talking and persuading teens to be optimistic is all that is needed for a teen to be raised properly.
Rudrani Singh
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

India ranks at the top in terms of suicide rate in the world and the majority of suicides are committed by students. The pressure from parents to score the highest marks is one of the major reasons for the increasing suicides among students today. Moreover, due to the lack of student counselling, the situation is becoming worse. Unlimited syllabus in each subject in the education system is making students stressed out even more. The government, schools, as well as each individual, must take initiatives to create awareness among students regarding suicides.
Pamila Lexcy (20)
Women’s Christian College, Tamil Nadu

During their teenage phase, teenagers go through several emotional and physical changes. They come under bad influences which are like an attraction to them. Surfing the internet and social media, getting involved in love affairs and substance addiction are some of the major reasons for suicidal tendencies. During adolescence, youth go through insecurities such as peer pressure, over-expectation from parents to perform well in examinations, racial, sexual or even body shaming online. Helicopter-parenting can also be a reason for suicidal attempts among the youth. They try to find a permanent solution to a temporary problem, and that is to end their life.
Apurva Gupta (14)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

Losing the hope to live or feeling like there is no one for us, getting depressed when we fail at doing something, makes one think “I am of no use, who needs me, then why to live?” etc. Giving hope to youngsters will give birth to winners, instead of scolding them, give them a second chance. Until you lose, you won’t win. If we do so, many lives will change.
Sonu Joy
Darshana Institute of Philosophy, Sawangi, Wardha

Every hour, one student in India commits suicide, but why? Nowadays, the pressure of studies imposed on children is the main cause. Some parents force their children to fulfil their dreams, even though their children do not find interest in that particular stream and are not able to cope with their studies. After getting admission in colleges, sometimes junior students are harassed by senior students to such an extent that they become very embarrassed and think that suicide is the only way out of the situation. Parents should understand the interests of their children and support them, so that the child never thinks of committing such an act.
Aadya Kumar (12)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna, Bihar

“Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.” A suicidal feeling is not a character fault, but a strenuous situation that is uncontrollable. It is a brave deed to face death and students should use this fortitude to confront life, to gain skills to overcome depression, and to find the firmness to keep moving. Crisis lines, supporting networks, sensory strategies to relax, meditation, breathing techniques can challenge any self-defeating thoughts. Remember: “Problems that seem hopeless have solutions”.
Harnishya Palanichamy (15)
Hebron School, Ootacamund

A study reveals that India’s large proportion of suicides occur between the ages of 15 to 29 years. These deaths resulted from poor relationships with parents, excessive expectations, the feeling of being unwanted, poor understanding of their peers, romantic relationships, etc. Family background plays an important role in determining how young people cope with despair. To avoid such a situation:

1. Mental health and wellness should be added into the school curriculum.
2. If students are self-motivated to face failures, there will be no tendency to commit suicide.
3. Cultural or religious beliefs can discourage suicide and promote healthy living.
4. Good support and communication from family members can enhance the mental health of students.
   Abina Binu (16)
   B. V. J. M. H. S. S. Perumpadave, Kannur, Kerala

The thought of meeting their parents’ huge expectations triggers a student’s mind, and when a student fails in the process, it makes him/her doubt their potential and efficiency, leading to depression and finally suicide. The only way to reduce a suicidal tendency is to bridge the communication gap between parents and their children. Students should be counselled and encouraged that failure is not the end; rather it’s the stepping stone to success.
Gauri Sharma (16)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Patna

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No exams, no pressure, entering within the walls of schools with a smile, it’s okay if you wanna relax, you learn human values, where building one’s character is the main aim, and competing with each other is a bygone story. It is an education system that is surrounded by inspiration and motivation, and not the pressure of securing the first position. An education system that proves that racing against each other is not the aim but developing one’s character is the new definition of the game.

It may sound like a dream school but Finland has made it happen and paved its own way towards becoming one of the best education systems in the world. Finland has proved that education must keep pace with time, thus providing a healthy environment for both learners and teachers.

Cheers to no exams!

While students over the world fear exams, students in Finland only have to worry about their overall growth, as they are graded on an individualized basis and a grading system set by their teachers. The Ministry of Education tracks the overall progress of an individual student. They have a voluntary test for students at the end of the upper secondary (high school) term known as the National Matriculation Exam.

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Some months ago, a group of senior students aged 16-20 from a reputed college went to teach younger students aged 6-15 in a tribal hamlet of Taralpada which is some 130 km from Mumbai. Schools had been shut due to the Coronavirus-induced restrictions, and these children were almost forgetting all that they had learnt in school. Under the guidance of these college students the school became a fun school where the children played informative games, and sang songs along with their regular syllabus. Around 30 children gathered at 9 o’clock every morning. These senior boys and girls whose college was also closed due to the lockdown had taken the initiative to teach the younger kids. A highly commendable initiative certainly, because at the end of the day, the ultimate purpose of education is to spread knowledge and understanding and not keep it to oneself. These young minds learned this because education has helped them become enlightened and other-centred.

It’s time for you students to get ready to go back to school after a long period of time, that is, after the long COVID-19 lockdown or the holidays. It is, therefore, important to ponder what education really is. Swami Vivekananda, our great spiritual genius and guru, has said, “We want an education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded and by which one can stand on one’s feet.” He highlights four key elements of education, namely, the formation of character, strengthening of mental stamina, expansion of intellectual knowledge and making one self-reliant. Education is meant to help people become enlightened and empowered and to stop one from becoming egoistic and arrogant.

Essentially we live by choices, and not by chance. And so the commencement of a new academic year offers you an opportunity to get motivated with the right objectives rather than get manipulated by the whims and fancies of some vested interests. It is a time for you to become creative and bring about due changes in you. Be helpful to people around you. Choose self-esteem and not self-pity, strive to excel in whatever you are endowed with, and don’t compete with others, but compete with yourself. Listen to your inner voice and let your school curriculum this year help you create a clear vision for your life and thus aid you in becoming a partner in the mission of ennobling this world.

The June 2022 issue of TTT is dedicated to all of you students who are beginning your new academic year. TTT wishes you, through its contents, a wonderful scholastic year, with excellence in your academic performance marking the nobility of your deeds!

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During my recent visit to a school in Agra, I had the opportunity to speak to thousands of students and numerous teachers. Both teachers and students shared some of their post-Covid concerns with me. Teachers find it very challenging to manage the students as they are frequently distracted and seem to be preoccupied with many other issues. At the other end, students find it very hard to sit in class listening to the teachers for long hours. Many of these high school students claimed that they had lost interest in studies. Two years of online classes and Covid lockdowns have resulted in many such social issues. However, most students showed an honest desire to get back on track with their studies.

The key to becoming an effective and successful student is learning how to study smarter, not just harder. Top students achieve their success by developing and applying certain strategies and study habits. So if you want to become a successful student, don’t get discouraged, don’t give up, just embrace some of the study habits, and you’ll see your grades go up. Here are the top 7 study habits of successful students.

1. Have definite and written study goals.

Successful students are driven by purpose. They have a definite and written study goals which help them stay focused and monitor their progress every day. They are very clear about what they want to accomplish throughout the year. A journey without destination is meaningless and gets you nowhere. Most of us plan and prepare many days for a short holiday trip. But we don’t bother to have study plans even for the current academic year. We just go through the motion of education without any purpose. Begin the academic year with specific study goals which will help you accomplish your dreams. Your purpose should be greater than the obstacles. I strongly recommend that you should have a written study goal in the beginning of the academic year and make a commitment to achieve it.

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