In the Indian educational set up, Class X and Class XII board examinations constitute some of the most stressful periods in a student’s life. Examinations are anyway hard to handle and when it happens to be the board examinations, one has to be extra careful so he/ she is able to move ahead with his/ her career choices smoothly.

In India, students make their broad career choices very early and by the time they appear for their Class 12 board examination, they are almost decided, as against the US, where students mostly choose their careers way into their graduation years.

All these make the board examinations very important and decide the progressions in a student’s life. This adds to the pressure. Just ask any student and he/ she will vouch that the board examinations were too stressful.

But now that the examinations are over and the sleepless nights done with, it’s time for a couple of months of summer vacations. What can one do with this time? Relax, de-stress and chill or join some hobby classes or prepare for further examinations or look for summer jobs?

Opinions are divided as we delve into some cool summer options and plans that the students have in mind.

Learning New Things

Palak Jain is a student of Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls High School in Jaipur. Palak has given her Class 12 board examination and now plans to have a perfect mix of fun and studies, travelling and ‘day-dreaming.’

Here is what she said, “Three months! It’s really a long time – the time people can utilize for fulfilling a long list of their wishes and doing good of others. As I am a boarder, going back home after a long time for so many days and finishing the pending works are on the top of my list.”

“Catching up with people with whom the contacts were lost is the first thing that I want to do,” Palak added.

Indeed for all the students who live in hostels, going back to the family and meeting friends and relatives becomes a must during these breaks.

Palak also wants to engage in creative past-times liking writing blogs and articles. She says that writing articles, but only after giving those deep thoughts, is the other thing that her heart wants to do.

Palak admits that after getting free time post stressful examination days, she is a little confused as to how to spend her holidays. “The whole world knows that half of these three months are going to be used for planning one’s future. Choosing the future course of action is something that occupies the mind of all those who have appeared for the examinations. Daydreaming of the future college days is also a never-ending task. However, rather than putting too much pressure on my mind, I would like to learn new activities like painting or whatever would be possible nearby. I shall also try to explore unknown things. Our mind can’t take everything,” she added.

Choosing the Right College

Post the Class XII board examination; deciding on the college to take admission is the biggest thing on a student’s mind. Tanishka Saxena, who has also given her board examination, said, “As we all are on the verge of ending the most fantastic era of our life – school days, the thought of this gives us chill in our spines. And, we all have another tension in our mind – choosing the right college.”

Tanishka said, “While choosing a college is a big decision, what’s on my mind right now is to get some sleep. Vacations are here – the most treasured pleasure time. I have plans maybe to sleep for 48 hours straight, not possible though. But on a serious note, I have plans to do something productive. I have planned on going for my passion – learning a new language. I am a language enthusiast and that’s why I’m going to learn Mandarin, which is going to be the next useful language after English,” said Tanishka, who hails from Dehradun.

Exploring Hobbies

For Tanishka’s schoolmate Amit Kohli, the holidays are a good time to explore one’s hobbies. Amit is an avid photographer and plans to do an exhibition of his photos. He said, “This is a wonderful time to explore my passion in photography. I am planning to do a photography exhibition in the Bikaner district of Rajasthan.”

Working on Personal Development

One of the biggest strengths of India is its youth power. Young Indians are extremely hard working and focused. This becomes clear as one talks to some of these students, who have finished their Class XII board examination and are now raring to go to the college. Vanshika Singh, who has studied in Scholars Home School in Dehradun, said, “School is almost over. So, the next thing that comes as a bombshell is college. It is the most fascinating thing ever. The time is yet to come for admissions, career and blah and blah! But yeah, when it comes to vacations, the first things that come to my mind are parties, friends, gathering, enjoyment and most importantly sleeping.”

Vanshika added, “Party and sleep are not the only things on my mind. I also want to come out a better person after the holidays. Talking about some serious business, I am planning to work on improving myself and yes make the best use of time.”

Venturing out to New Places

Another thing that is high on the mind of young students is travelling and exploring. Aakash, who is from Noida, is planning to go on a trip to the hills this vacation. “Most of the time, we have travelled with our parents and that’s fun. But this time, I have got permission to go to some hill station with my friends. Yes, I am growing up now and I thank my parents, who have given me this opportunity. It gives me the extra responsibility to behave,” said Aakash.

Students also have plans to do a lot of reading, catch up on movies and host house parties. And, for some, who want to do more, there are social activities and NGOs to join during the summer holidays.

The students know that they have earned their holidays after many months of hard slog and they now want to make the most of the free time.  And indeed they must, as up next is the hard slog to make their careers.

#BoardExaminations #Holidays

Reporting by Pooja Mishra
Special Correspondent, Delhi

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