Flunking at Maths to getting a 4.0 GPA

Venue: Examination Hall
Year: 2002 AD

It was my second standard examinations. I remember I was writing my Maths paper quietly. Suddenly, a teacher approached me to ask what’s the blue mark in my right cheek. Listening to his question, brought back my memories from the day before.

I was very weak at studies – esp. Maths & Science. I really stress on the word VERY WEAK. I didn’t even know multiplication tables properly. And I used to have a fear of exams and books. Whenever my parents talked about exams my mood falls down like the Twin Towers in September 11. (Sorry for the bad analogy :D)

What my brothers and sisters used to do was take a mini-examination before the day of the real exams. I was supposed to complete all the syllabus by evening and answer their questions. Now that was stressful; specially for a bad student like me. They used to scold and beat me sometimes as well if I didn’t know the answers. In short, very stressful.

I still remember one incident. It was my GK exams the other day. And some chapters were really hard. So, to dodge those questions from my siblings, I tore the pages of those chapters from my book. They didn’t realize the page numbers and how thin the book was after tearing. Happy me, they didn’t realize it and I wasn’t asked the hard questions. If my siblings are reading this – you guys have been trolled. LOL.

Another incident, I was supposed to give my question papers to my siblings. And they ask me about the answers I wrote. And if I didn’t write the correct answer – BAM! another slap. It specially happened for Maths paper because there’ll be only one correct answer for a given problem. For not getting slapped, what I used to do was ask my friends or look at the books for the correct answer and write them down as my answer in my question paper.

After reading this, you guys might think how bad my siblings were. But as a matter of fact, they aren’t. I too felt the same way in those years as you guys are probably feeling right now. But, without those beating and scolding, I really don’t think I could be one of the TU topper. I really don’t think I could get 4 out of 4 GPA in my Maths papers later in my high school and bachelors level. I really don’t think my GK will have improved so well.

Moral of the story, I really don’t think I could have been where I’m right now without those beatings and scolding from my siblings. Take it as a really good example of negative reinforcement. I really thank my parents from the bottom of my heart for what they did to me. Due to the fear of my siblings, I happened to learn even better and later on it just became a habit. A very good habit. Habit to read and learn properly.

You guys probably have watched Taare Zameen Par, a super hit film by Amir Khan. An unemotional person like me cried after watching that movie. It reminded me of my childhood and how I became a successful student. All thanks to my Amir Khans a.k.a. my siblings, my parents.

And by the way, the blue mark I mentioned at first was due to a tight slap from my brother. LOL. Totally worth it now.