“THE SECRETS OF SUCCESS”…an interview with the toppers.

The dazzling achievement of our seniors (present s3) prompted us to have a talk with them (formally an interview).

(The process of interviewing was not at all formal but we both (Crystal and Nisha), Saneeja chechi and Sujith chettan had some questions that we wanted them to answer.The start itself was humorous as Ruby(one of the topper, she is from BT),called crystal as chechi with the misunderstanding that she was a senior. Poor Crystal, she was shocked to find herself being noticed as a senior just after 2 months class. But she was satisfied that at least she is considered to be a college student rather than a school student……… )

The following were the toppers, we interviewed: -

• Prabha Pillai(EC,82%)
• Shyama Sasi(CS,81%)
• Ruby Abraham(BT,75%)
• Sujith Rajan(EEE,79%)
• Ramkumar(MECH,73%)

1.What was your attitude after writing the exam?

Prabha: – As u already know.. there was no fluctuation in the exam schedule; everything went as per the 1st timetable. Actually that was a shock for us since this has never happened in Kerala University yet! Then .. about the exams.. yea .. it was ok.. But Mechanics was quite tough for me.

Shyama:- I prepared well during the study leave ( ‘limited’ study leave ).. So i was very confident with my papers.. Still.. Basic Electrical Engr was tough.. n i expected an arrear for it !

Ruby: – As Shyama said; the preparation time was very less; So we couldnt study much .. i mean..couldnt study much during study leave as we expected. Still we managed it.. n about our examz.. Electronics paper was a bit tight..And this time , something unexpected happened with us.. U know what ?! ‘ Basic Civil Engr…. purely application level questions !’ Thank god that i’ve passed ..

Sujith:- I scored pretty well in my internals..  so i was quite confident! But chemistry and mechanical was tough for me.. And I expected a better mark for graphics..

Ramkumar: -We just got two weeks for preparation; ofcourse the time period for the preparation was too small.. Mechanics, graphics and civil was tough for me.

( Heard na…? Most of them expected atleast one or two arrears! Again.. ‘pratheekshichathinu mark kittiyila.. pratheekshikathathinu orupaadu mark um kitti ‘ .. dat was another common opinion.. So.. guys n gals..dis is our University.. Funny rite?!! )

2. Did you expect to be the topper of your branch?

Prabha: – Not at all !

Shyama: – Even I didn’t expect this. Indeed i was only ranked in the first ten in first series examination! So.. i donno what 2 say actually…. May be it is the fruit of my hardwork..

Ruby : -I knew that i’l get good marks.. But.. being the topper.. it was an unexpected hit

Sujith & Ramkumar: – We too have the same opinion. This was an unexpected crowning.

( mm… quite digestable…. )

3.How did u feel while attending workshops?

(laughter echoed in the hall…..

i wonder why… did i ask any stupid question??!!

Prabha: – Workshops.. mm.. they were just ok for me… To be frank, i didnt like it much…

Ruby: – Hey I really enjoyed workshop. They were more or less free hours after tiresome studies. Foundry was bit difficult… And the best part is that we ; especially BT students have nothing to do with it in the coming years. What do you guys have 2 say about it…?

Ramkumar: – See.. actually it is a part of engineering basics. So everyone have to take it seriously. Another important thing is that, if we don’t pass in all papers then definitely we can move along our life with smithy, carpentry and foundry (laugh).

4.Is it better to learn with an examination point of view or should the topics be studied elaborately? Explain your approach 2 studies.

Prabha: – I always updated with the syllabus, I went through extra information but didn’t mug up everything because there is no time for that..

Shyama: – Till now I have just gone through the prescribed texts and previous year’s questions… Never felt to study anything in addition.. But one thing is there.. I always revised the portions on weekends

Ruby .. expressing her views..

Ruby:- I never studied with an exam point of view as v can’t expect how the questions would be. And i was always interested to know more about the topics which i had 2 learn.. so i just went with it.. But during study holidays, i prepared with my syllabus only.. and once i sat late night (upto2: 30am) to break my friend’s record..

(Hey guys! Dont think that she is a bookworm.. She wont be studying all these time.. MInimum one hour at night is dedicated for music…..la la la…. )

Sujith: -I didn’t have any special pattern of study.. I just opened my book whenever i felt to .. No extra studies other than prescribed texts and syllabus ! ( samayam illathathu konda ketto..  )

Ramkumar: -I agree with what sujith has said, I too don’t have any pattern or strict way for studies.. ‘Padikkan thonnumbo padikkum.. ‘ So didnt get much time to learn extra stuffs.. Then..  yea..I forgot to tell u one thing..I went for mechanics tuition during study leave.. Couldnt make it alone yaar..  that was damn tough!

5. This is the first time you approached an exam in the university level. Would you mind distinguishing between a school level and university level exam

Ruby: – In school’s, students are spoon-fed but in colleges, we have to do the part by ourselves we should work more and the rest is luck.

(Everyone supports her opinion).

6. If you had not passed in all the subjects what would have been your reaction?

Ramkumar : – ah! Easy to answer; wouldn’t be sitting here for the interview. Might be roaming around for getting those application forms for supplementary exams (laugh).

7. How are you going to help your friends who got arrears?

Prabha: – (smile) yea.. ofcourse i can assist them in studies..by giving my books, notes.. N i can help them in those portions wher they feel tough to handle.. I will them in whatever ways i can ..

Ruby: – mm.. First i will have to learn those topics again (forgot everything-its a big task)… N the time is very less too.. Still I will be there to support them…

Shyama,Sujith,Ramkumar: – Sure, we will do the same.

8. Did u get any support from your seniors?

Prabha: – Yes Ofcourse!

Shyama: -I didn’t dare to ask them anything..hehe… ( she was jus joking )

Ramkumar: – Yea, our seniors helped us a lot! They gave us books to refer.. gave details about exams… Speaking frankly, they were so friendly… I am taking this as an opportunity to thank all of them for supporting me

9. Did seminars, counselings and events helped u guys in any way?

Prabha: – In studies?! Not really… But it helped a bit in personality development

Ruby: – Seminars gives us idea about new topics.. thats all !

Ramkumar: -Truly speaking, we were not aware of most of the events. Only one or two representing the class went for a seminar.. Isn’t that unfair?? And i think that was the only disadvantage of being in batches…

10. Which was your favorite subject? (Question to Shyama)

Shyama: – Graphics !!! Actually the credit goes to Remil sir .. He was our lecturer in Graphics… He taught us so well that i could score almost 90% in that subject

And again.. Maths.. we were taught by Varun sir, his classes were so interesting that we all liked ‘mathematics’ to the extreme core……

11.Any comment on the prevailing academic atmosphere in our college?

Common opinion: -When we were first year students, we were not allowed to attend any events in the college..  and indeed teachers told us that we would get much time in next years… Then another thing is that, we don’t get much time to go to the library and refer books because there is no such free hours to go there, otherthan what we get during lunch breaks.. We do lack freedom as compared to other colleges..But academically SBC is good.

12.What is your advice to us, the future aspirants?

Common answer: -What we have to say to our juniors is that study well, refer many books, always be updated on your topics using internet, enjoy college life to the extreme core, for, this is the best part of your life. NEVER MISS IT.

(Rather than an interview this was a friendly talk, because we were able to mingle with our seniors and super seniors, and we got many advices from the topper, about their efforts to attain this position)

By

Nisha Nagendran(CS,s1s2) & Crystal Sara Shaji(BT,s1s2).