My Science School

I am a Class 9 student and I recently realized that I am losing friends. Earlier we used to have a large group of friends. But now teachers and students have started disliking me. There are a few teachers to whom I am a favourite student, but a few teachers really hate me; I don’t know why. I want to create a good image in school, but since I can’t do so I cannot concentrate on my studies.

It must be distressing for you to lose friends and to think that the teachers and students dislike you when you so wish to be liked.

It looks like you are trying too hard to ‘create a good image in the whole school’. Not only is it unrealistic to try and make everyone like you, it also puts people off when you try too hard to impress them. When you create an image, people don’t get to see your true self. If that is the case, people will certainly find it difficult to like or to make friends with you.

On the other hand, it can be quite natural for the number of ‘friends’ to become smaller. As we grow older, our personalities develop and our values get defined. We become more aware of our own likes, dislikes and interests and we are drawn to people with whom we share common things. So, some friends may drift away, while new ones come into our lives. It is said that while we can have many ‘friends’, we can most effectively maintain a very close bond with around five ‘close or best friends’ at a time. So, focus on them.

This is the best time to find your true self and radiate it. Those who are naturally attracted to you will be drawn to you. Let others go with gratitude.

 

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I am a Class 8 student and I perform well in studies, I am quite popular in my school because I am beautiful, and my overall performance is good. But my classmates do not behave well with me. They don’t talk to me as they think that I am very rude and have an attitude. They always ignore me and feel jealous. I don’t want to go to school and sometimes I harm myself because I know that I don’t have an attitude. I am depressed.

Your feelings of pain, anger and helplessness when your classmates ignore you in spite of your popularity in school are so strong that you end up harming yourself. Self-harm is not a suitable way of coping with your distress. Manage your feelings using relaxing techniques such as dancing, art, going for a walk, etc. And if you feel they are unmanageable, speak to a counsellor.

Just as we admire a film star for his/her beauty and acting but we don’t know them personally, your schoolmates admire you for your ‘beauty’ and ‘performance’ from afar and you seem to like this attention and popularity. Perhaps you expect the same kind of attention from your classmates instead of making friends with them and getting to know them personally? If yes, even though you think that you don’t have an attitude, your classmates will certainly think that you have one.

Focus on making friends with those classmates with whom you spend most of your time. Let them see the real you: Bring out your inner beauty with a smile and warmth, and let your performance be about building relationships based on love, trust, kindness and helpfulness. As E. Lockhart says: “If you have friends who actually like you, you are popular enough!”

 

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I study in an all-girls school and I have a crush on my senior. I have confessed my feelings towards her; however she doesn’t have any feelings towards me and I’m fine with it. But when I’m texting with her she calls me by names which couples would use and even says ‘I love you’ and that I make her happy. I’m really confused about what she means.

While your senior has said that she doesn’t return your feelings, you are puzzled about what her text messages really mean. It is quite possible that she is enjoying the attention that you are giving her. If yes, then she might just be playing with your feelings by using terms of endearment that couples use. More importantly, by texting her, you are setting yourself up to be hurt because you might actually begin to believe that she likes you in return.

In an all-girls setting, it is quite normal to have a ‘crush’ or to ‘hero-worship’ a senior of the same gender, so it is quite likely that this is a temporary situation. It is best that you stop interacting with her and instead focus on your friendships and on discovering your potential.

 

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Marine conservation involves a study of marine organisms and evaluating threats posed to them and taking action to protect and rehabilitate them. Working as a marine conservationist can be highly satisfying as you can make a meaningful contribution to the planet, live in exotic places and lead on unconventional work life. Majority of the conservation efforts, today, focus on coral reefs, whales, dolphins, and sea turtles.

What are the prospects?

Although India has a vast coastline, marine conservation is a relatively new field in India. The rising threats to our oceans and the boom in marine sports such as scuba diving and sailing has sparked interest in exploring the ocean and preserving it. Conservation firms and government bodies are in need of experts who can research and advise them on protecting marine life. There are several opportunities for entrepreneurs to come up with their own organizations and initiatives. India holds more potential compared to other countries, which are already saturated with marine biologists.

Required skills

• Interest in marine conservation


• Awareness about environmental issues and in-depth knowledge of climate change


• Knowledge of Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics


• Numerical and statistics skills


• Practical fieldwork skills


• Research-oriented mindset


• Patience and good observation skills


• Excellent teamwork and personal communication abilities


• Ability to work outdoors in all weathers – perhaps at sea

Where to study

Many Indian universities offer a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Marine Biology, but only Science undergraduate can pursue this postgraduation. Foreign universities offer undergraduate and Master’s courses in both Marine Biology and Conservation.

India

• Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar campus: M.Sc. Marine Biology


• Cochin University of Science and Technology Kerala: M.Sc. in Oceanography


• Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat: M.Sc. (Aquatic Biology)

Abroad

• University of Tasmania in Australia: Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic science


• Scripts Institution of Oceanography, University of San Diego, the U.S.: Master of Advanced Studies Program in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation.


• Florida Institute of Technology, the U.S.: Bachelors in Science (B.S.) in Marine Conservation

Start volunteering!

Solid practical experience is key. Being involved with different projects, working on diverse hypotheses and learning about different species and processes also help keep an open mind while gaining experience beyond your selected subject. Volunteer opportunities are offered everywhere today and are easily found, thanks to the Internet. You can volunteer with Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, Bengaluru, WWF, Reefwatch and other such organizations.

 

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