“Ammu, ami ei deshe r thakbo na! Amake bideshe pathai dao!”
Suraiya looked helplessly upon her daughter’s tear-stricken face. She knew how hard her daughter had worked to get into any of the many universities she had applied to. Luck just hadn’t been on her side. She’d been passionate about studying medicine and had dreamed of following her father’s footsteps to study in DMC. But her name hadn’t appeared in any of the public medical or private medical lists; and flustered by the shock, she’d failed to secure a position in the other public universities.
Suraiya knew that the only option left was to admit her daughter into a private university, or to send her abroad. Either way, she knew that they were lucky that they could afford those options. She was glad that the tension of the admission tests was finally over; at least they had a certain path to follow now, instead of being uncertain.
The admission process in our education system is truly like walking down a road, not knowing whether or not you are headed in the right direction. After high school, students wanting to pursue higher education, start preparation anew, by joining different coaching centers. With regard to public universities, there are the various medical schools, there are those for engineering, and there is the separate group of universities for science, business and humanities subjects; there are also many private universities offering the same range of subjects. The main difference between public and private universities is cost. Most students aim to get into public institutions, and those who can afford it, keep private universities as a second option.
The admission tests are three to four months of anxiousness, fear and unimaginable toil. If anyone has the slightest chance of competing with the thousands, one must go all out in preparing for the admissions tests. Sadly, hard work isn’t always enough; luck also plays a role. A bright student with an immaculate record might be rejected from these universities not because s/he didn’t do well enough, but only because someone else did better.
Altogether, the admission tests are a part of life one feels happy to leave behind. It’s been three years since I sat for mine, and my life isn’t what I had planned on when I was preparing for them. It’s even better. Medicine was my first option, and economics was my second. I missed the medicals target and ended up in economics. Three years later, I’ve realized that I’m where I’m supposed to be. Rejection hurts, yes - I won’t deny it. But if you study hard and do your best and it still doesn’t work out; then you will have no regrets. So long as fate exists, work hard and leave the rest to the one who controls fate. Put in your best effort and surely you’ll end up where you belong. Don’t be sad if things don’t go according to your plans; believe that they’re going the way fate planned out.
Education is in the end – education, wherever it is given. A person who is meant to shine will shine wherever s/he studies. Focus on building yourself, on developing your mind and I promise you that the institution won’t matter. If you have the passion and drive, instead of you being glorified by the institutions name – one day your name will make that institution famous and they will feel pride in saying that you once studied there.
We live in a world where we have to fight to learn what we want. In an ideal world, we wouldn’t have to clash over limited seats in classrooms for our education. In our not-so-ideal world – these admission tests are the ultimate battle, the gateway to the rest of our lives. Put in your best effort, and whatever happens, you won’t regret not studying as much as you could have.
Every subject provides ample opportunity for personal and professional growth. Wherever you get a chance, whatever the institution is - don’t let the shackles of our education system keep you imprisoned. If you want to learn, break free of the shackles and learn. No one can imprison your mind, so use that freedom and fly.