My Science School

My parents caution me about putting out personal pictures and content on social media. But sometimes, when I go out with friends, i do not have a choice but to pose with them for pictures, which they put out on social media. It is embarrassing for me to say I will not pose with them. How can I handle this?

Posting pictures on social media needs a lot of caution. Your parents are concerned about your safety as there are a number of instances of misuse of such pictures. At the same time, your concerns about your friends posting your pictures are also understandable. Though embarrassing situations are bound to happen, it is very important to understand that you should not face problems because of your friends. Your friends may not understand the reason for your not wanting to pose for pictures. Express your concerns to your friends and request them not to post pictures with you. It is your decision to refrain from posing when you feel it is not okay for you or your family. Being assertive about yourself is necessary. Good friends will understand and respect your feelings.

 

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Whether it is finding wonder plants that may help fight memory loss or taking skin care back to its natural source, the field of Pharmacognosy is constantly on the look out for natural ways of healing. A branch of botany, it is a study of medicines derived from plants.

Ancient civilizations provide records of treatment of certain diseases using natural ingredients extracted from minerals, bacteria, fungi, plants and animals. Over the years, new miracle drugs came to be produced in laboratories. But scientists are now recognizing that indigenous knowledge about the medicinal virtue of many plants offers great insight into the development of new drugs.

Today, Pharmacognosy forms an important part of pharmaceutical research and development. So if you want to use your fascination with nature to help people, you can become a pharmacognosist.

How it works:

Pharmacognosy focuses on how natural elements from plants and animals can be used to improve human lives and enhance one’s understanding of the world. It has applications in the areas of nutrition, medicine, agriculture and technology. Pharmacognosists identify natural drug sources, plan for cultivation of medicinal plants and evaluate the pharmacology of the extracts.

Scope:

Pharmacognosy opens up diverse job and research opportunities. In the public sector, government agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration hire pharmacognosists . They can also work in the private sector as researchers and developers in the pharmaceutical, biomedical and biotechnology companies. The field of alternative medicine is also open to pharmacognosists. The Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) has been set up to propagate natural systems of medicine and health care.

What to study?

To enter the field of Pharmacognosy, you need a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) with Botany and Chemistry or a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm). A diploma course in Pharmacy before taking admission in B.Pharma is another option. You can seek further specialisation in Pharmacognosy at the postgraduate level with a Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm). If you are interested in alternative medicine, you can pursue a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) in Dravyaguna. This is a two-year full-time course in medicine involving the study of the substances in Ayurveda.

Where to study?

• M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bengaluru: M.Pharm in Pharmacognosy


• Poona College of Pharmacy: M.Pharm in Pharmacognosy


• The Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara: M.Pharma . in Pharmacognosy Herbal Drugs


• Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research Institute: M.Pharm in Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry


• Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai: M.Pharm in Medicinal Natural Product

Required skills:

• A love for the natural world


• Keen interest in medicine


• Observational and analytical skills


• Orientation towards research


• Training in Chemistry


• Patience and willingness to work hard

 

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I am in class IX and I am a sportsperson. I want to balance academics and sports, but I am not able to handle academics. I am planning to switch to The National Institute of open schooling or homeschooling. Is it a good idea?

Appreciate your interest in both academics and sports. A lot of planning is essential to balance the two. The NIOS system does have its advantages such as choosing the subjects of your choice and studying at your own pace, allowing you to focus on other activities. Although there are many advantages, there are a few disadvantages as well. You must set your own deadlines for studies and be clear on the time you spend on activities. Self-discipline is very important. Also you will miss the atmosphere of school and other activities that happen there. Choose the system after you analyze the pros and cons and know that it suits you. Also be clear on your future goals and plan accordingly. The field of sports offers excellent opportunities and will help you grow.

 

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I m in class XI. I have a problem. Since I have a lot to study, I sleep only six hours a day, and end up sleeping in most of the physics and chemistry classes. How can I overcome this problem?

As you go to higher classes, the time you spend on studying will increase. At the same time, it is not good to neglect basics such as good sleep and healthy eating. Six to seven hours of good sleep at night is sufficient to keep yourself active through the day. Do consult your physician to see if there’s any deficiency leading to sleepiness in class. It is not the number of hours of study that matters but the quality. During your study time, avoid distractions and take small breaks. A regular physical activity to keep your mind and body active, and a balanced diet are also very important.

 

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I m in class XII. I love being the best in all aspects. This year, I don’t want to be a class monitor but I want the badge alone. My class teacher has been giving excuses for not giving me that badge. I want it just for my satisfaction. Not having it has affected my concentration in studies. How can I deal with my greed and focus on my studies?

Life is a roller-coaster, and you may not be able to meet your expectations. As you grow, you must be able to priorities your needs. You cannot get everything. In this case, it is not fair to earn a title just for your satisfaction. Be clear on your goals. You are in class XII, and it is not good for you to lose your focus. Remember that you cannot hold on to anything for long if you want to grow. You will be upset when you have to give up certain things for good. But it must be done, and it comes by practice. You will grow only by sharing and giving. Feel good about yourself when you share something with others. You are very young and you will be able to overcome such situations when you think more positively and are not rigid. Schedule your work and appreciate yourself when you complete it. Hard work and determination will help you achieve your goal.

 

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I am in class XI. I have a hard time trying to discover my talents. I know it sounds a bit weird but I am unable to find an answer. I took many tests and even sought advice from elders, but none of them seem to satisfy me. They all tell me the same thing, “It’s you who must find it out, not us.” when I hear this, I freak out.” Sometimes, I cry when alone. Recently, my best friend suggested that I take up a personality test and I did. But I still have my question unanswered. What can I do about it? Please give me practical solutions.

It is something very difficult to identify our talents. You have made various attempts. Have you met a career counsellor? If not, do consult one who can help you identify your talents through profiling and assessments. Your frustrations and confusions can be eliminated. Stay calm and try to find out what activities make you happy and what you do not like to do. Only when we find out what our likes and dislikes are will, we be able to get a direction. Staying anxious will make you more confused and agitated. Do not get carried away by online assessments.

 

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I’m in Class XI. About three months ago, I become close with a girl in my class. We were having fun texting each other and chatting in class. In the last few weeks, however, another friend of mine had suddenly been spending time with her. I’m not happy because nowadays she spends more time with him than with me. No other girl in the class has been kinder to me than her. What can I do to get her to spend time with me as before?

Each of us has different kinds of friends in each phase of our lives. Some friends are very close and intimate with whom we share all our experiences while some are not as close. It is not healthy to be possessive of our friends. You have to know your boundaries, and respect each one’s interests and feelings. Dependence on one person creates anxiety and hinders the relationship. Widen your circle of friends. Give each one their space. Be open to accepting them as they are. A good friend, when communicated in the right manner and at the right time, will understand your feelings.

 

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Most ligament injuries take a maximum of seven weeks to heal, but I have been having it for almost four months. Some friends of mine too had ligament tears but they are fine now. It hurts when people at school ask me how long it will take to heal. I’ve tried many types of treatment, but it’s not healing. I have been going through a lot of emotional issues because of this. How can I overcome it?

Healing of both physical and mental injuries differs for each individual. As long as you are taking the correct steps clinically for your recovery, you need to focus on your mental state. When you are emotionally disturbed, it can affect your healing as well. Here are few suggestions to overcome your situation:

• Keep calm: Identify your emotions and feelings, and learn to keep them under control.


• Reflect on your feelings: Look into the what, why, how, when and where of your feelings.


• Resolve: Be open and willing to understand the other person’s point of view.


• Decide: No matter what was happened, accept the situation and be open to making amends.


• Focus on your strengths: Rather than thinking about what has happened, look at your positives and make the best use of them.


• Be with positive people: Surrounding yourself with positive people will make you feel better.


• Don’t take things personally: Do not personalise issues; we get hurt when we take things personally.

 

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I am 14 years old. I have a problem with myself. I can’t control my emotions, and I end up shouting at my friends, brothers and family. When I express my feelings, they point out to my mistakes and blame me. What is the solution for this?

It is not a good idea to suppress your feelings – positive or negative. When emotions get bottled up, it is natural to have an outburst, and many times it happens at an undesirable time, leading to misunderstanding and problems in relationships. Also, it is not healthy for the body to undergo stress, which can be avoided by letting it go in a healthy and an appropriate way. Suppressing emotions can leads to poor quality of life; managing them lead to a healthy way of life. It is very important to find out healthy ways to let out your unwanted feelings towards any situation or person. Most importantly, you need to accept that it is okay to feel bad or get angry. Tell yourself “I shall let it out and not keep it to myself”. Speak up for yourself in an assertive way, but never be rude or arrogant. When they point out to your mistakes, see if you are genuine. Withdrawal from the situation will not solve the problem. Distract yourself with music, sports or some activity to calm your mind. Meditation and relaxation exercises are helpful too. Journalising your thoughts will be a healthy way of letting go of your feelings. Art forms such as dance, painting, colouring can be cathartic.

 

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