My Science School

I read your column in THE TEENAGER TODAY and I realized that I could really count on you for advice. To be honest, my life recently has been like a rollercoaster ride. I know it sounds a bit clichéd, but it’s true. I am a 15-year-old in Std X, and for me, my family has been giving me a headache and not my studies! I have realized that my mom has turned a hypocrite; I know I shouldn’t say this because she’ my mom, but it’s a fact. Recently, my coaching class had a parent-teacher meeting and my mom Googled everything about me! It was about my male friends, my boyfriends and everything! Why did she have to announce to outsiders about my personal life; why? Plus she has been pressing me to pursue a career I’m not a very studious student but also not the one who’s having supplementaries. I realized that all this is pushing me towards depression. I could seriously use your help.

You write that you have problem with your family, especially with your mother, because at a parent-teacher meeting she told them everything about your personal life including your male friends and boyfriends. Besides that, she is pressing you to pursue a career you are not interested in. do your father and other family members share this approach? Do you hare with them your plans for the future and about your friends? The fact that your mother spoke about your male friends at a parent-teacher meeting shows that she is not happy about your friendships. Speak to your father and find out if he approves what your mother said at the meeting; let him and your mother come to some agreement about you and your future. Finally, they should share with you their expectations, giving you a chance to express your personal desires. If there is no open dialogue within family it is not possible to plan your life and live in peace at home.

 

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I’m a student of Std. X and I want to become a psychologist. What stream and subjects should I choose? Which are the good colleges in India or in the U.S. offering psychology? Are there any good research centres in India or the U.S.?

To become a psychologist, you need to have a Master’s degree in Psychology. So first complete Std. XII in any stream. Then go for a B.A. (Hons.) in Psychology, which is of three years’ duration. Many colleges admit students on the basis of marks obtained in 10+2. The better the college is, the higher the cut-off percentage goes.

Courses in Psychology are available almost all the universities. Some of these are Annamalai University, Annamalainagar; Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi; Banasthali Vidyapeeth, Banasthali; National Council of Educational research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi; Psychology of Education, Bureau of Education, Allahabad; University of Madras, Chennai; Tata Institute of Social sciences, Mumbai.

 

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Cinematography is the art and technique of motion picture photography and cinematographers are the ‘movie; photographers. They use camera, lighting and related equipment to create the desired visual “mood” or “feel” for a film. They are basically the directors of photography, and instead of directing people, cinematographers direct the camera.

There are no formal educational requirements to enter this field. But a proper training teaches broad technical understanding of this field and offers much needed practical experience with variety of cameras. A good course in camera and lighting techniques polishes one’s visual imagination and creative ability, teaching you how to get the right effect.

Some of the institutes offering related courses are The Film and Television Institute of India, Pune; Asian Academy of Film and television, Noida; Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute Kolkata; L.V. Prasad Film and TV Academy, Chennai; Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu, CIT Campus, Chennai; Bihar Institute of Film and Television, Patliputra Colony, Patna.

 

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Astronauts are the elite few who are trained to travel outside the earth’s atmosphere on space shuttle missions. One has to go through intense physical and mental training before qualifying before one can actually go to space.

Basic qualification is Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences or Mathematics, and three years of related experience or at least 1,000 hours pilot-in-command time on jet aircraft. Distant and near visual acuity must be correctable to 20/20 for each eye. The use of glasses is acceptable. Before you make it to becoming an astronaut, you need to become a scientist and be passionate about it. Look at any astronaut’s biography and you will see that their education and accomplishments are typically much greater than what NASA states as a minimum. Year 2013 astronaut class for NASA consisted of eight astronauts who were selected from 6100 applicants. That means applicants for this class in the NASA astronaut corps had a 0.013% chance of being selected.

As per NASA people site “Other than under extremely rare exceptions, you must be a U.S. citizen in order to work for NASA as a civil service employee. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may wish to consider opportunities with one of our International Space Partners.”

 

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Becoming a news anchor sounds and looks absolutely glamorous but it isn’t an easy job. Very few news anchors become household names. Most spend their entire careers working in small markets.

The best way to pursue their career is by doing BJMC (Bachelor’s of Journalism & Mass Communication), a 3-year course, followed by a Master’s. a few colleges that offer these courses are Xavier’s Institute of Communication, Mumbai, Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media, Bengaluru, Asian College of Journalism, Chennai; Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi. The postgraduate courses are mostly 10 months long and have god placement drives.

Apart from getting into a good journalism college, you will have to work on your skills. Read newspapers, books and everything related to general knowledge that comes your way. This will help you get the right exposure and will open your mind to various new things. Apart from this, start watching the news as much as possible. This will help you get a hang of how anchors work. At the same time, improve upon your vocabulary. The way you are delivering news or the way you speak should be very generous and related to your content.

 

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I am a Class 12 Science student. I’m confused whether I should opt for B.Sc. in Hotel Management and Culinary Arts or do a B.Tech. in Computer Engineering. Which one do you think is a better option? Is there any scope for girls in India for Hotel Management and Culinary Arts?

Both hotel management and B.Tech. are good options. If you are a technically skilled person, love to play with machines and have an interest in programming, automobiles and construction then you can choose B.Tech. to pursue this field, you should choose Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry in 10+2 and appear for various competitive exams. On the other hand, if you like interacting with different people and are interested in management, hospitality, cooking and other services then you can choose Hotel Management. This course involves learning about reception and concierge services, restaurant and bar functions, administration, management and marketing.

Engineering and Hotel Management and totally different fields; it is up to you in which field you want to make your career and what is your passion, your goal and what you want to achieve in your life. You can also do engineering and can work in the hotel in the maintenance department.

 

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I am good in studies but these days I can’t concentrate on them. All I can think about is my account on Facebook, my cell phone and boys. I am really worried that I will spoil my academic performance like this. I really can’t talk to my parents about this because they won’t understand me.

Your life seems to be going out of balance. While it is normal to want to connect with online friends and to have crushes at your age, excess time on only one area is like binging on your favourite food – it can make you sick. And you’re absolutely right – there will be consequences not just on academics, but also on the quality of your life if you become addicted. How will you feel if: Your academic results hit rock bottom? You lose your real friends because you chased virtual ones?

Retrain your brain! Take each important area of your life – your studies, a hobby, exercise, time with family and friends, time for social media and so on. Draw a ‘thali’ with ‘bowls’ on a paper. In each bowl place one area and how much time you will spend on it daily/during the week. Put it up on the wall and challenge yourself to stick to it. Give your cell phone to your mum at that time so you are not tempted to use it!

 

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I’m a student of Std X. I am in contact with a girl since last year, for 6 months through Facebook. I have met her several times. She is my good friend. But I feel like I’m in love with her now. Sometimes I think that I should propose to her. But at the same time I think that by doing so, I will lose my best friend. What should I do?

You are facing the classic dilemma and it isn’t easy to make this choice! So, how about not making the choice right now and letting time revel whether she is right as a friend, or as the love of your life?

Friendship is a very important component of love. It makes love last longer and stand the test of time. Once you complete your education and select your career, if you still feel for her, you can propose to her then. However, if you feel you have changed your mind, you can continue as friends and no one will be hurt.

Connecting with someone on social media and meting them can pose a safety risk. Do you know her background well? Have you met her family? It is important to be a bit cautious and avoid a future heartbreak.

 

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This year I have my Std X board exams and I know that I am not studying up to the mark. Even my parents have given up on me. Whenever I study, I start thinking about my future when I know that I need to concentrate on my present. I’ve tried to put an end to my life but failed. I told my mother about this and got the worst scolding ever. My dad is not talking to me either.

People usually think of putting an end to his/her life when they perceive that there is no hope left for the future. I am not sure what more is making you feel this way. Your what you tried to do. Perhaps the only way they knew how to express themselves at that time was to scold you or stop speaking to you. Whenever the situation you face, you have one freedom – to choose your thoughts about how you see life – and that is where your inner power is.

You have come into the world with the potential to make a difference; your future is about discovering how you can make the difference. Seek help from a school counsellor, and also help yourself: Take a blank page; the bottom write, ‘Class 10’. Draw a ladder and write the steps that come in between, as best as you can. Pin this up on your wall and turn your future into a goal, a source of excitement. Use study skills and time management to help you focus on the present and to make your studies a stepping stone to reach your goal.

 

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