THE

I Year
C ATALYS T Enabling
Superior
December 2013 Level
I Issue Achievement
 Are you focused yet?
We have said this countless times. Most students mistakenly believe and influence their friends as well with
statements like... “Have fun in I PU dude. And slog during II PU.” This is no mantra, this is misinformation.
Why? Because 25-30% questions in CET, and upto 50% of JEE (Main) questions are from I PU syllabus.
If you think you are going to revisit I PU syllabus during II PU time, you are asking for shock!

Yes, we are talking about focus.

Whether you are chasing your goal of IIT or a good college in engineering, you got to get tougher, from
now on. To cope with the rigours of competitive exams like IIT JEE or CET , you need:

 Ability to put in long hours at the desk,

 The habit of working with unceasing concentration, and
 A willingness for problem solving

So, get serious. Start getting focused. And never postpone this to another day. Because those who have,
have paid the price.

How to stay focused?

 Avoid distractions. Stay away from TV, even during lunch and dinner.
 Keep away from telephone and mobile chats with friends,… These are time killers. You shouldn't have
got a mobile phone now in the first place.
 Work 6-8 hours a day outside of college. Study for 3-4 hours at a stretch. It's possible.

THE
C ATALYS T
 Learning beyond exams
How often haven't we come across students and even parents with these questions?

 Why do we always have to learn something new?

 Will this learning ever end?
 Is it going to help improve performance at school?

All students must understand this: the sole objective of learning is not merely excelling in exams. So,
what is true learning?

Learning is a process of understanding the interrelationships among objects, people, places, … Learning
is a conscious process of finding answers to the questions that may arise in our minds. Learning is about
inquiring.

So, ask yourself the questions … And then go about seeking the answers. It is you who must get the
answers. The teacher can only be a facilitator.

How to cultivate the habit of true learning?

 Look around. Observe. There are so many things that are stunning innovations around you..
 Develop the spirit of inquiry. Be it while you read a text book, or when you come across
something new, ask questions: What is this? Why do we need this? Where is it used? How? …
 Be open. Talk to friends, elders and teachers and clarify.

True learning is about taking responsibility to understand. With proper understanding, you have the
knowledge to apply your mind and think innovatively.

THE
C ATALYS T
 Aim big. And forget the obstacles.
A student came to HSN a few years ago along with his father. He came from Hosur in Tamil Nadu, close
to Bangalore. He asked with a childlike innocence but deep passion, “Sir, after my B.Tech. in IIT Chennai,
where should I continue my higher studies?” He had just enrolled for admission into IIT JEE Achiever!
Delighted at the boy's passion, HSN asked him what his goal was. “Sir, I want to do research in
technology!”
From the
HSN spoke about MIT, Stanford, Perdue and Princeton. Just as HSN said, “If you wish to pursue mentors’ files
technology, I would like you to go to MIT,” the boy immediately replied, “I will go to MIT sir.”

Precisely, he started working for getting into IIT, which became his short term goal. He travelled from
Hosur to BASE in Basavanagudi, for 2 years; never missed a class. He had to travel by 2 buses nearly for 2
hours each way.

He got into IIT Chennai with an All India Rank of 31 and studied Computer Science during B.Tech.
After B.Tech., he joined MIT and completed his Ph.D.

This young boy is today Dr. S. Raghavendran, who is currently working in a quantitative asset
management company in US.

Takeaways
 Set a goal today. Do a SWOT analysis of yourself.
 Everyone faces obstacles. You can convert the obstacles into stepping stones of success.
 Make your goal SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time bound).

THE
C ATALYS T