As a candidate willing to seek admission in the next phase of education, every student has a lot to decide. The choice of subjects, courses, colleges, universities and places of study that one makes during this phase has implications for the whole life of the person. In this regard, all the stakeholders have a prominent role to play. This article highlights a few points that can help the candidate take suitable decisions in consultation with all the stakeholders.
Role of Candidate
If a candidate can follow these steps, it might be easier for them to make the decision:
· Purpose of Life /Vision: We have heard that many founders/heads of organisations spend a lot of time articulating the vision and mission statements. Similarly, as an individual it would be beneficial to sit down and articulate the purpose of life. If a candidate can share this with the person, who does admission counselling, the suggestions will be very apt.
· Recalling major/minor incidents of life: As an individual, one takes many decisions in life. Even if those are not so significant, it has value and needs reflection. The candidates can identify what worked for them in the past and what did not. This reflection brings in the requisite confidence. It also helps the candidate to discuss with family and friends, because one of the factors in taking admission is to justify the decision.
· Seek validation (with exception of unconventional interests): To gain the confidence that you are traversing the right path, it is important to seek validation from experts. So, reach out to people from industry/academia, preferably with a good amount of experience. At the same time, don’t always be dependent on validation from experts. There are new areas and domains emerging, about which very few people are aware. So, in case your interests are in unconventional domains, the point of validation does not hold true.
Role of Parents/Guardians
As a parent/guardian, the concern for admission of the child is very genuine and many times a matter of stress/confusion too. It also impacts relationships. Thus, being one of the most important stakeholders, parents/guardians can also prepare themselves for this decision.
It is becoming more and more common that while making decisions the young generation feels more comfortable to discuss matters with their friends rather than their family members. So, the first thing as a parent one can do is to acknowledge this fact and start from this base. Lowering the expectation of being consulted will be very beneficial. Once this is done and clearly communicated to the child, things will be better. If the child finds that there is no “compulsion”, there are high chances that advice from parents will be taken. Thus, by handling this matter with a slight cautious approach, parents can play a vital role.
Another aspect as a parent one can consider is that there is transition in the industry going on. New types of career options are evolving and there are uncertainties about the future of work. Many experts also don’t have an answer to it. Thus, your child also is confused. In such a scenario, a slight affirmation of being with your child even if the decision goes wrong will have a huge positive impact. Just let them know that if the decision turns out to be right leading to right outcomes, it will be great. If it does not, then too, you will not be disappointed with them.
For children/ward, please avoid considering their duty as your right. It is important to deliver the expectations of parents/guardians. Just because these days, people talk about being independent, it does not mean that confrontation with them is the new normal. As per Bharatiya culture and traditions, even Bhagwan does not entertain the request of a person who disregards the parent. It might seem a ‘gyaan’, but it is a hardcore truth that an individual realises at a point of time.
Role of Teachers and Educational Institutions
The first and foremost thing expected from the teacher is genuineness. If the candidate approaches you for suggestions, please be genuine in offering suggestions. Acknowledging the fact that the education sector lags behind the real-world scenario will help. The choice of courses that students will make will have implications for their careers spanning the next 30-35 years. So, unless the teacher has done thorough research on this phenomenon, it is better to consult someone who is more experienced and capable of answering the queries of the candidate.
For the candidate/student – the above points are mentioned for a teacher and not as a yardstick for the student to judge the teacher. Seeking guidance from teachers/admission counsellors is good. But reach out to them after thorough self-analysis to get the right guidance. At the same time, no harm in reaching out to multiple people, but ensure that it does not increase your confusion. Seeking validation for your decision is also important.
As per Bharatiya culture and traditions, even Bhagwan does not entertain the request of a person who disregards the parent. It might seem a ‘gyaan’, but it is a hardcore truth that an individual realises at a point of time
Role of Government
The advent of social media and digital mediums, the levels of confusions amongst students and parents have increased drastically. Many times, the hard-earned money of parents is drained because of frauds. Even if there is no fraud, the choice of an institute with unacceptable levels of quality or the choice of a course with little contemporary relevance can also lead to the loss of youth potential. Thus, it is appreciated that the Government has taken many decisions to assess, rate and rank the institutions. However, this information should be made available to the public in simple terms through an integrated single portal, based on a strong analytic framework. This can help the parent and candidate.
For parents/candidates, the above suggestion is for the Government. But, for you it is advised to go to websites of the Ministry of Education, UGC, NAAC, AICTE so that you get genuine information about the institute and the course.
The process of admission counselling relies on the active involvement of various stakeholders. Candidates should reflect on their life’s purpose, seek validation, and trust their instincts. Parents should create an open communication environment, support their child’s decisions and acknowledge the evolving job market. Teachers must offer genuine guidance or direct candidates to experienced individuals. The Government should ensure transparency and provide accessible information through a unified portal. Collaboration among all stakeholders empowers candidates to make informed decisions about their education and future endeavours.
(Author is an Assistant Professor, FMS-WISDOM, Banasthali Vidyapith)
