Chanakya’s

10 golden rules for

success
 Author
Radhakrishnan Pillai
tells you how you
can benefit from
being a student.
 Chanakya, the author of Arthashastra -- the Sanskrit
literature on the various facets of Indian politics -- is
often quoted for his wisdom and strategy.
 Many of his principles are applied in politics, marketing
and management even today.

 In the book Chanakya in the Classroom: Life lessons for

students, Radhakrishnan Pillai attempts to make
Chanakya's teachings accessible to everyone.
 Presenting an excerpt from the book that explains why
you should be a student for life and how it can bring
you success.
 Irrespective of where you are studying and which
course you are doing, these dos and don'ts will help you
succeed in your class.
 1. Attend all classes
 A student is expected to attend all classes.
 The only probable reason you should not come for your
class is in case of extreme emergencies.
 Even when you are sick, try to attend classes as much as
you can.

DOs FOR  Your physical presence in class makes a big difference to

you, your fellow students, and of course your teachers.
STUDENTS  Your sincerity towards your studies is ensured when you
have regular class attendance.
 If due to any reason you have missed a class, try to make
up for it by borrowing the notes of that class from other
students.
 This way you will be ready for the next class without any
break.
 2. Be on time
 In fact, be there before time. Being on time is fine, but a
good student makes sure he or she is seated in the class
much before the teacher arrives.
 Once you are seated in the class, before the lecture
DOs FOR begins try and spend a few moments revising the notes
of the previous class of the subject.
STUDENTS  Thus when the teacher starts the new lecture, you are
already in tune. And in the class your time should be
fully utilised with full attention being paid to what is
being taught.
 Do not get distracted with other students who may not
be attentive; your focus in the class matters.
 3. Take notes
 It is the most important activity in a student's life.
 To take notes is the basic quality of a good student.
 Yes, today most of us have notes and information readily
available on the Internet and other sources like
textbooks.
DOs FOR  Yet, your notes are more important; and you will be able
STUDENTS to remember them much better when you write it
yourself.
 Also, the teacher notices the student who takes notes.
 It shows that you are highly involved in the lecture. If
possible, try to take physical notes rather than on a cell
phone or laptop. After all, we should not forget writing
as a skill.
 4. Revise -- then and there, weekly, monthly
 One of the major differences between ordinary
students and good students is that the latter keep
revising their subjects.
 Practice makes a man perfect. The more you revise the
better you memorize it.
DOs FOR  Psychologists have come to the conclusion that there
STUDENTS should be regular revision done for one to remember
anything for a long time.
 Immediately after the class, review and revise the notes.
Then revise again after a week and then after a month.

 And finally, you will find it very easy to memorise and

remember everything before the exams.
 5. Ask questions
 There are three types of students who ask questions.
 The first are the kind who ask to impress others.
 The second do it to test the knowledge of the teacher.
 And the third are the kind to ask for clearing their
DOs FOR doubts and learning more.
STUDENTS  Be the third type -- be sincere and ask questions.
 When someone is asking questions it also means the
person is involved in the class.
 Participate and be a part of the discussion.
 Do not just sit there wondering what is happening.
 6. Participate in other activities
 A good student is not one who only studies.
 Just studying will make you a dull and boring person -- and a book
worm.
 So, take regular breaks from your books and participate in various
activities around.
 In all schools, colleges, and universities there are many student
DOs FOR activities.

STUDENTS  There are clubs and associations, sports activities, debate clubs,
various festivals, and more.
 Try and explore as many possibilities as are open for you. You may
even discover a new talent within yourself.
 Remember, being active outside your studies only makes you a
better student.
 Just be careful that you do not get so carried away by the other
activities that you forget your main purpose is to study.
 7. Volunteer
 There are many projects around you that require a helping
hand.
 Your educational institute itself may need a set of extra
hands for something that they might be coming up with.
 It could be some social initiative, some programme to be
DOs FOR organised, and even your teachers may have various
committees that they must be running.
STUDENTS  Go ahead, pick an initiative and offer them a helping hand.
 Being a volunteer may not give you any financial benefits;
but, it will surely add to your credibility. You will be noticed
as a socially aware and active student.
 You may also get a certificate to acknowledge your work.
And many colleges also give extra credit points and marks
to students who participate in volunteer work.
 8. Help other students, share notes
 You may be the most brilliant student in your class, and
may even stand first in it -- yet you may not be respected
by your peers.

 Being a good student is one thing; but being a good human

being is equally important.
DOs FOR  Therefore, do help other students around. Some may

STUDENTS require help in the form of the notes that you have taken in
class, since they themselves could not attend the class.

 Others could do with your inspiring words when they are

facing challenges.

 Whatever you can do in whatever way, try and help other

students. You never know, when you might need someone's
help the most.
 9. Don't complain -- be cheerful.
 No one likes a gloomy and sad face. You may be sad for a
while for some reason, but do not be known as a cry baby.
 Do not seek sympathy from others.
 Everyone in this world, including you, has some or the
other problem. But people like to be surrounded by
DOs FOR positive people.
 You should try your best to stay cheerful.
STUDENTS  Don't complain about others; and most importantly, never
backbite anyone.
 That does not mean you have to be goody-goody to all.
 Yes, you can give feedback to others for areas of
improvement and what you feel about the person. But you
must learn to do it positively and in a nice manner.
 10. Become a teacher -- be part of the alumni
group
 After you graduate from your school or college, try to
stay connected with everyone there.

 You can have various reasons and means to stay in

touch with your friends and teachers.
DOs FOR  One of the best ways is to join the alumni group.
STUDENTS  If there is no alumni group, then go ahead and form one.
 You can eventually also become a teacher in your alma
mater.
 You may not choose to be a full-time teacher, but
depending on your time you can be a visiting faculty
and take some guest lectures.
The END….