Morning Work - After the D-Day

Start the day with readings from the following link.

Caution Against RESULT

Then read ALL the entries of 2014 - August 2014 , September 2014 , and October 2015

The first article is a GRAVE Warning against those who think that their RESULT is THE Deciding Factor in Getting Financial Aid. There are couple of examples where the result holders failed to get High Aid. It is also a caution AGAINST those who SURRENDER themselves to Pessimism for lack of result. Every year I have to PROVE myself against these TWO types of Mis-Fits in my class who would NOT believe in their WORK but put their FAITH in the power of DEVIL (laziness).

Godspeed.


Cheryl's Review:

Sir, during our refreshing walk by the lake, we started off our conversation with what we read from the blog postings. While I had been mostly reading the posts, Nafia had gone through some of the links in the posts as well. We talked about the rigorous and intensive work load that applicants in the Anglophiles class have to overcome during the months leading up to the deadline. One thing of particular interest was the 100WH course, where the applicants had to complete 100 hours of work in a period of 10 days. We anticipated we would have to face the same challenges while working on our application as well. The main topic of discussion surrounded a fundamental topic in some of your posts about the ultimate insignificance of grades when applying to universities, in contrast with the commercialization of results nowadays. People feel like they need to showcase their grades as a chief part of their identity. We have become machines governed by marks and numbers, instead of complex beings with conceptual thoughts, ideas and ambitions. The walk helped bring a new perspective to the usual line of thought, propelled by the change in surroundings. I would like to thank you, Sir, for this opportunity to venture into such thought-provoking discussions.

Nafia's Review:

This time in the morning, the lakeside is good place for just walking, observing and casually engaging in conversations. As Cheryl and I walked , we both admitted that we were confused as to whether we were only supposed to read the entries or the links of the reading materials assigned as well. She told me that she was first going through the entries and I told her that I read through the first page of Yale's historical review and later went on with reading the various entries from the blog. We talked about several mails that we read on the blog. We came to the mutual agreement that all the hard work and long hours those students put in was definitely worth it- washing cups was definitely worth it, going into hibernation from social media was definitely worth it. We both decided that from now on we are going to put in more effort, practice multitasking and get ready for long hours of reading and writing because this will be like a stepping stone and help prepare us for many more challenges in the future. Our conversation was interrupted at times by people, people who probably found it unusual for two girls to stand in front of the lake and just converse. We didn't let that get to us though. Women sat in circles and talked about family life while we stood there in much more isolated place just observing the lake and talking about how there's more to life than just grades. Yes, Grades are important but its not the only thing that matters and i realize that now.

Tahsin's Review:

We walked through the pathway going straight beside the lake. The journey towards our destination was like no other. This was the first time we had not spoken a word whilst we searched for a place secluded from the busy bustle of crowds, both adults and students. We eventually stood beside the railings adjacent to the red building beside the bridge. This is where we started talking, the importance of rejection being the reoccurring topic among us. After talking for some time, we came to the agreement that in every aspect of work, rejections will be omnipresent. It is our task to overcome the guilt and despair of failure with a positive mental and optimistic ideologies. Karl Marx’s theories of neo liberal communism had its place among our conversation. As we tried to enunciate what communism is and who are the communists. We also talked about writing, especially how to write a proper report on a book, film, etc. From reading the reports on the blog, I understood that the perfect report is not perfect description or ‘summarization’ of the plot; but a simply a writing which conveys one’s own thoughts and ideas in a completely imperfect manner. ‘How to Become a Man of Genius’ by Bertrand Russell had also piqued our interest, showing us how to master the art of denunciation. Final thoughts are that we still have a long road to walk, and there will be setbacks in the future, but these setbacks will drift us on towards the right direction. So, 'Onwards and Upwards!’


Rith's Review:

It took about 5 minutes for us (Borno, Tahsin and I) to realize how pointless it was to try and find a place near the lake, where we would be free from the unwanted attention of people. We finally decided on a place which was somewhat a decent place with less noise of the people and vehicles, with a view of the lake along which a man stood, determined to catch fishes with his fishing rope, even after the numerous attempts of failure. Our discussion began with talks about Communism, what it was and what role it played in our lives. We talked about Bertrand Russell’s book - ‘How to become a man of genius’. Tahsin’s pointed out a point made by Russell, which led to contradictory views. Russell suggests that one of the most efficient ways of becoming a man of genius is by being one sided, believing in one’s own thoughts about a matter only. Tahsin, then brought up a different topic, a topic about the ex students of Logophiles. We talked about what challenges the ex students had to go through and how not giving up during the challenging times, led to getting accepted in top universities. Regardless, of the grades, the low SAT scores , many students got the opportunity to study in colleges of their dreams due to ‘Perfect’ essays. How to write that perfect essay ? We had no specific answer. But we discussed how reading and writing numerous essays, will only get us closer to our goals. The ex students wrote a lot of essays, as many as 45 in 3 days. Not all were accepted. They had to face countless rejections, after which only, they were able to write a perfect essay. Just like the man by the lake, who refused to give up on his determination to catch fishes due to numerous amount of failed attempts, we too should not give up and keep trying. One thing that changed my whole point of view of writing a perfect essay, by reading through the past blogs, were the writings of Shafat Jamil. His simple, yet effective way of writing, in contrast to other students with a complx and philosophical form of writing, made me realize that there was no epitome of a perfect essay. A perfect essay can also be written using the most simplest of languages. 

Borno's Lake Discussions:

As we strolled across the asphalt, silent and deaf, and reached our destination in a few minutes. We scanned the horizon for an isolated space with fewer people and lesser distractions. The lake was not as peaceful, cold and subtle as the mornings. School children walked under the tree shades on their way home, some seniors were sipping tea and rejoicing themselves in singing along to classic songs and hoards of cars swayed across the lane. Tahsin pointed us to a railing near the lake which looked comparatively less crowded. Upon reaching the railing we started conversing.

Rith started with Communism and discussed on how Karl Marx emphasized neoliberal thinking and how it impacted global economies and science. Then we talked about a report on the novel ‘My Antonia’, where a regular image of the society was portrayed (Where a Girl named Antonia took over all the responsibilities of her family when her father passed away and how she used every sorrow in her life to bloom out stronger), about how it was written so concisely and exact. Then we talked of a similar report on Sophie’s World (A philosophical novel in the form of the story of Sophie Amundsen who received Philosophical lectures from a stranger named Alberto Knox). Then we turned to Bertrand Russel who always insisted that one should always hold strongly to one’s own opinions no matter what. Then we talked about writing Application Essays, and how many essays were rejected and the importance of rejection. Then we read many applications of students who got into universities with great financial aid and how they explained grades are not always the variable proportional to the amount of financial aid and acceptance whilst choosing a university, and how essays are the most important when it comes to getting into a good university.

A lot to time passed as we talked. An old guy toppled the railing and staggered down to the muddy banks of the river with a fishing rod. He swayed his rod and threw his bait right into the middle of the lake and swiftly pulled a fish to the shore in a matter of seconds. We really felt amazed seeing how he swiftly did the task in a matter of seconds. We lost our pace. We were finally distracted. We decided to walk back to class.