‘Your Education Is What Defines You’ Says Shaheen Qureshi, SYBMS Sem 3 Topper, N.K. College

Name – Shaheen Qureshi

Rank in SYBMS Sem III – First

College Name – Nagindas Khandwala College

GPA – 6.87

Hobbies & Extra-curricular – Writing, Reading, Music, Art.

The Editorial Head of College Fest’s  Organizing Committee.

• Tell us about yourself, your background, why did you join BMS and what do you plan to do after BMS?

– Well, I hail from a wonderful family of 7 people, and I’ve lived in Mumbai all my life. I scored a 96 in SSC examinations, and chose science stream after that. I scored 80 percentile in HSC examinations. I joined BMS, as I found it the best amongst all the Commerce courses. I had to drop out of science due to health issues, and performance degradation. Surprisingly, I’ve never been to classes and tuitions in my entire academic life. My father has been my greatest teacher, and he never let me feel the need to. After BMS, I plan on opting for MBA as well as Civil service.

• How does it feel to be a Topper of the college in Semester exams?

– It feels absolutely amazing to know people look upto you as the Topper of the college. It’s like creating your own identity with the thing you’re best known for. But morever, it feels overwhelming to know you’re the reason for the pride in your parent’s hearts, or the relief you see crossing their faces when they know their child isn’t letting their hardwork go down the drain.

• Whom will you credit your success to?

MY DAD AND MOM, first and foremost. I owe everything to them. Dad – He’s my greatest support system, a man who plays millions roles in my life, from my hero to a teacher to a father to a guide, to everything in the world he can be. He’s never let me take tutions and go to classes, and surprisingly I never felt the need to. He’s an engineer, and ever since my first grade, he’s always been a teacher to me. No matter what subject it is, he’s a master. From maths to theory to everything, I never felt the need of a tutor or a teacher, he’s been the greatest teacher I could have.

Not to forget, my mother for the countless number of times her words and concern has motivated me to do better, and to live upto the hopes in her heart. I’d be nowhere without her. My brother for the endless support and love, My sisters for the care and affection. I owe everything to my parents and siblings.

Lastly, but certainly not the least, I’d like to thank the Principal of my college, the Vice principal, the HOD of our BMS department and each and every one of the teachers of my college, for their incredible teaching and unending support. I believe my college provides one of the best academic support and facilities, and I’m grateful and blessed to be in a college like this, and have such wonderful teachers around.

• Did you start preparing from the first day of your SYBMS?

– Haha, surely not. People have always asked me questions like these when they come to know I’ve topped. I’m not a bookworm or a nerd,! Infact, most of the times I get scolded for not paying enough attention to studies. I start studying for the exams a week prior to it, just like everybody. All that matters is whenever you start, you choose to concentrate. Like my father always puts it, don’t study seriously, study sincerely.

• How did you study for Sem III? (Share some tips / advice for each subject)

– For the practical subjects like accounts or math, you need to keep practising every regularly to grasp the subject and the problems well. And for theoretical subjects, all you’ve got to do is understand the concept well, and what does it entirely mean. Once you’ve understood the chapter or the subject, you can write well on your own.

• Which are the easy subjects in Sem III?

– Everything is easy if you study it just right. Being bad at accounts, I’ve always found every subject easier to crack as compared to it.

• Any special way of writing the answers? Do you write answers in bullet points or in paragraphs?

– I prefer to write the answers in bullet points, with the heads or pointers, and the subheads or contents stated in bullets under it. I’ve always written answers in points and bullets, as it makes the answer looks more systematic, and the examiner doesn’t have to work hard to read and understand it, like it happens in paragraphs. Plus, learning your answers in pointers makes it easier to remember.

• How do you crack case studies in theory and practical subjects?

– Case studies are practical versions of what you’ve read in theory. I just imagine to put myself in the situation of the case study, and think what I’d do had I been in a situation like this. And I write down the things I feel are going to be helpful to the issue.

• Did you draw any diagram in any paper? Is it mandatory? Does it help to get more marks?

– Yes, I always believe that drawing diagrams wherever you can, gets you more of marks. It’s not mandatory, but it certainly is very essential to make your answer look more informative and systematic. Diagrammatic representations are easier to understand compared to the written part.

• Any specific study pattern adopted i.e. timetable / how many hours per subject per day etc.?

– During semesters, I decide to start a week prior and devote one entire day to a complete subject, with breaks in between. This constitutes my study timetable for the exam.

• How do you fight against mood swings and distractions during exam preparation?

– My mother. She’s the ONLY person who can help me ward off my moodswings and distractions. The only way I fight against my distractions are by talking it out with her, and she in turn motivates me about how I’ll manage to do it eventually.

• If you are made the Vice Chancellor of Mumbai University, what changes would you like to initiate in BMS education system?

– I would like to introduce extra curricular activities like Organizing fests or managing events a part of the academic curriculum, and students being given scores on basis of that. Besides, I’d like to introduce more of practical studying patterns in the education system.

• Many students prepare sincerely but constantly live under fear that they are not from big college / not from English medium and eventually lose confidence. What message would you like to these students?

– Your college name or your language of communication doesn’t make you who you are, and doesn’t define your education. Your hardwork is what defines you and what’s going to take you ahead in life. My father started from scratch, and now he’s at a position people would die to have. He’s a hero, because he believed that such petty things don’t define you. All that counts is your hardwork and your knowledge.

• Through this struggle and success, what have you learned? What is the wisdom of life and competition? What is your message to the upcoming BMS students?

– The greatest thing I’ve learnt is, your education is what defines you. My parents have taught this to me, and this is something I won’t forget all through my life. Even when everybody leaves you to yourself, or takes everything away from  you, your education and wisdom is something they can’t take away. So put all your efforts into making large of what you’ve. Life is nowhere, if you can’t excel at seizing the opportunity right.

• Your feedback for BMS.co.in?

– Amazing work done by BMS.co.in, initiatives to help students all over, and contributing to education as much as they can. A thumbs up, marvellous work!

Thanks on behalf of the readers, we wish you the best for all your future endeavors.