An Interview with Yasha Shrishrimal, TYBMS Sem 5 Topper, MCC College (83.5%)
Ø Tell us more about yourself.
I am a simple girl, who likes to learn something new. I am very anxious and curious by nature. Maybe this hunger for knowledge has led me to secure good marks in my exams, and I have always been rewarded by rank in my school and college life. Also. I like to understand things and interpret them my way, rather than by-heart answers and reproduce the textbook as it is.
Earlier I was a shy student, with a lot of stage fear and lacked confidence to participate in competitions. But, being a BMS student has helped me overcome this handicap of mine. Now I actively participate, organize, anchor and also win some inter and intra-collegiate competitions.
Ø Were you expecting to top in the exams? To whom would you credit this success to?
Frankly speaking no, I wasn’t expecting to be the topper of my college.
Firstly, Mumbai University is very unpredictable. You never know how the things might turn out to be. Secondly, you never know the examiner’s mood and method of marking us. Thirdly, there are numerous equally hard-working fellow BMSites. The competition is tough. Fourth, I still feel I could have done better and was not very satisfied with my own performance, since I was gripped with various unfortunate events on the family front.
The credit goes to my teachers, my college faculty and my parents. I take this opportunity to thank each and every teacher in my life, right from my nursery, until now, who have instilled in me –the urge to learn. I attribute my success to the MCC BMS faculty for having a faith in me that I will excel even in the TY exams. They have always been very motivating and encouraging. Also, the role of my parents cannot be neglected. Their behavior has always been neutral towards marks. Application of the acquired knowledge has been their principle teaching to me.
Ø Did you prepare religiously from day One or A few weeks before the exams?
“Persistence is the key to success. Studies are not a onetime shot. You have to work continuously for it”
This is what all would say…
But my funda about learning is simple:
- Attend all lecture
- Be attentive in the lecture itself
- Take running notes (it helps. As you write what you understand, and the way you understand. It becomes handy for revising as well-to know the things at a glance)
- Ask doubts until a particular concept is clear to you
- Make your own notes, and include the points mentioned in class by the professor and find suitable real-life examples wherever possible. (Or rather, don’t crib about those assignments. Make them yourself genuinely, without copying. That will at least give you an overview of your subject)
- Give your internals seriously; you end up learning half of the syllabus in that manner.
If you follow these minor pointers, then you do not need to sit with a text book each day by-hearting things.
Ø How did you allot time to different subjects?
Yes, I do not make a time table, a month or 15 days prior to the exams but not otherwise. I complete my assignments and projects as per the submission dates, and the regular internals also helps to stay in control of the portion.
Minimum 3 hours daily (that’s the time I attend the college lectures). Besides that there is no fixed time of studies. However, I prefer practicing practical subjects at intervals.
Our school counselor had suggested,’ whenever, you don’t feel like studying at that time itself, Open your book and start studying’. So I do follow this principle when I haven’t studied for a long time.
Ø Can you share some insights on how to crack the subjects before exams?
There is no easy nor difficult subject, it’s just a matter of our perception and practice.
BEFORE EXAMS:
- Practice practical subjects daily such as FM and SSF at least 2 sums each day. For other theory based subjects such as HR, BE, SSM just be attentive in class and get your concepts thoroughly cleared. Ask doubts whenever you have them. Remember, it’s better to ask twice than to fail once.
- Also, take every question separately and figure out how you will attempt the question if asked in the exam. Think how you can present the answer in a different manner.
- Draw diagrams and illustrations wherever possible.
- Give apt and accurate examples. Don’t bluff. Rather google out relevant examples or industry applications of concepts and make your answers qualitative.
- Relate newspaper articles with your subject topics and quote important personalities, if possible
DURING EXAM:
- Keep your answer sheets neat, but do not waste page. Have legible handwriting. Underline important points.
- Do not change the order of the questions, though you can change the sequence of you answering them, i.e, leave the page in between and then return
- Answer the concepts and brief answers first. Attempt the case study in the end.
- Manage your time well. Keep atleast 40 minutes for case study, since you have to think, relate the case study to your concepts, arrange your thoughts well and then represent systematically.
POST EXAM:
- Do not think of your paper once it’s over. Do not discuss it with friends. Just prepare well for the next day’s paper.
Ø Do you think BMS student require coaching classes or is self-study enough? Had you joined any coaching class for a particular subject?
No, I do not think that coaching classes are necessary. Every college has good faculty, make use of them. And mostly, have confidence in yourself. BMS is no rocket science; it can be done through self-study.
No, I had not joined any classes for any subjects.
Ø Did you participate in college fests or extra-curricular activities? Do you think a BMS student can manage both studies and extra activities?
Yes, Along with my group members I had participated in MCC’s intra-college campaign competition “I CAN CHANGE”, and was fortunate enough to get the 2nd position.
Also, I had participated in handful events of MCC’s inter-collegiate fest, SPECTRUM.
Yes, being a management student, one must learn to manage himself first. BMSites must learn to strike the balance of extracurricular activities and studies. It gives more exposure, adds value to the CV and helps to know where you stand in this competitive era.
Ø Did you pursue any additional courses/ internships alongside BMS?
No. Our coordinator had suggested us that BMS is a full time and hectic course, managing a job or so along with BMS would be difficult to manage and add to stress. Moreover, I believe that if you are doing two things at a time, you cannot focus on any one, leading to average performance in both and excellence in none.
However, I do teach French to a few school students, along with BMS.
Ø Today, we often come across students committing suicide out of failure, depression or tension of exams. What do you have to say about this? Did you use any special techniques for stress management?
I severely condemn the act of suicide. Parents, teachers and friends collectively have the duty of influencing a student’s mentality.
I do not have any special techniques as such. My family is very supportive. They have never pressurized me to score well in exams or about studies.
If I feel like taking a break from the routine schedule, I just hang out with my friends, spend time with family, read novels, and socialize on net and so on.
Ø Do you think the number of Industrial visits should be increased for BMS Students? Which industries have you visited?
Yearly atleast twice industrial visits must be conducted.
I have visited :
RBI in Mumbai, it’s clearing house and museum, BSE, NSE
We have been to industries in Silvassa, Nashik, Delhi and Nainital
Ø Do you think BMS students are flooded with assignments, projects and internal exams round the clock? What changes would you like to bring in the BMS Curriculum?
Yes, we are flooded with all of these. But it’s a part and parcel of this course. And by the end of the First Year in BMS, one gets used to the pattern. However, teachers must coordinate among themselves, so that all things do not coincide on the same day. The various activities must be evenly spread.
Ø What message would you like to give to the next batch of BMS students?
Study while you study and play while you play.
Ø What are the future plans post BMS?
I plan to do MCom after BMS. Since I plan to go in the teaching profession, will also prepare for NET exams thereafter
Ø Any Feedback/Suggestions for BMS.co.in?
BMS.co.in is a great platform for bringing together BMS students.
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