Prepare honestly – The Hindu

I am preparing for competitive exams, but feel mentally exhausted. I used to be a topper, but I am struggling with consistency and motivation. Why is this happening. Kanagavalli

Dear Kanagavalli,

This could be a mix of much that you are feeling right now: performance anxiety, others’ expectations of you (living up to being a topper), your own identity crisis, peer pressure and just sheer cognitive burnout.

Competitive exams do not guarantee success; they are a process in themselves, and often laborious. They are uncertain, hard, long, repetitive, and have long portions.

So, maybe there is some self-doubt creeping in as well: what if I fail and don’t make it?

Meet a therapist and claim your sense of calm, confidence, and study habits. Only preparation and performance are in your control.

Reclaim your self-worth and prepare sincerely, honestly, and earnestly. If this exam is not meant to be, work on your Plan B and C. Something better is always in store. Do not limit yourself by feeling underconfident.

I graduated from Jammu University (distance education) in 2022 and live in a rural area near the international border. I am now preparing for the Civil Services exam. Sometimes, I feel demotivated because of my educational background, and struggle with confidence and communication skills. Sehaj

Dear Sehaj,

What you are feeling is common and has nothing to do with your intelligence or potential. Civil Services officers are also selected from distance education, state universities, rural and remote regions, and first-generation learners. The exam rewards clarity of thought, consistency, resilience and ability to learn and apply.

Your background is not a disadvantage but a strength because you understand grassroots realities, have probably seen governance gaps firsthand, and know what exclusion feels like.

Why are you feeling demotivated? Do not compare yourself to English-medium toppers, coaching narratives, or social media success stories. Getting stuck in identity conflict and believing a narrative of isolation will only impact your confidence and communication further. Good communication is not a fluent English accent. It is about structured thinking, clarity, simplicity and honesty.

Start reading the newspaper out loud. Summarise what you read in your own words, record yourself (audio), and you will hear improvement within a month.

Use online discussions and peer groups to get help and motivate yourself.

I am a Class 11 Humanities student preparing for CLAT. I have good speaking skills, but I am nervous about public speaking and get easily influenced. I often feel tense about handling college life and dealing with manipulative people. How do I overcome these challenges? Sakshi

Dear Sakshi,

It is normal to feel anxious and tense about college while still in school. You should only care about doing well, learning and enjoying the experiences in college, not about judging yourself and overthinking before anything happens.

You are young and impressionable, and it is easy to get influenced and swayed by others. So, identify your core values and use them as your guiding light when you form friendships and other associations. Trust your gut and do not sign up to anything on the spot because of persuasion and pressure.

Work on the pros and cons of every decision and then get back to people and choices. This will help you make informed decisions and keep you safe.

Consciously create distance from people who could be manipulative. You do not need to please anyone, especially if you feel confused or drained after interactions. You do not owe them any, so don’t feel scared or overwhelmed.

Be comfortable in your own skin and work on your self-esteem. Engage in a daily healthy routine that helps you stay grounded and balanced and convert nervous energy into structured expression.

My cousin is finishing B.Tech Computer Science from a tier-3 college and is concerned about poor placement prospects. He wants to work in a field that uses Python. How can he get a good job? Poojitha

Dear Poojitha,

A tier-3 college does not block good careers in technology anymore. Python-based career options are in demand. He can look at entry roles as a Backend Engineer, Junior Software Developer or be a Data Analyst, Business Analyst, Automation/Python Scripting Engineer, QA Automation Engineer, or DevOps.

Let him work and strengthen his core foundations in Python (loops, OOP, file handling), Data Structures and Algorithms (basic), SQL, Git + GitHub. These decide interview survival, not certificates.

He needs to pick one track across Backend Developer, Django/Flask, Data Analyst, Pandas and SQL or Automation, Selenium and PyTest. Each has its own specifications.

He must work on building three to four solid GitHub projects. Internships are more important than placements. He should actively apply to startups and for contract roles or remote internships across LinkedIn, Internshala, Wellfound (AngelList Talent), or GitHub issues (open source).

To crack interviews, let him practice Python problems daily (LeetCode/HackerRank) and communicate with clarity to get the edge.