Different boards have sounded the examination bell. The students, as expected, have piled up the textbooks on their study tables and are peering into their notebooks, trying to mug up things, they claim, are ‘incomprehensible’. But studying hard is not enough. Board exam calls for sacrifices and our students are willing to make a few. Smita Kumar finds out how examinees are bracing up for the toughest test of their school life

Soap-less nights

Gayatri has chosen a life without TV serials to give her full attention to Class XII ISC examinations. She has stopped watching her favourite serial - Sasural Genda Phool. If that's not enough, the St Joseph’s Convent student is not watching Saath Nibhana Saathiya too. Her family has also extended their full support to Gayatri. “The television has been packed and kept aside. None of my family members are watching any serials,” Gayatri said.

Don’t worry Gayatri, soaps are more predictable than exam papers. You won’t miss much in two-three months.

Curtains on Facebook

Social networking sites will have to do without Shubham Kumar for the next couple of months. The Class XII student of Patna Central School has decided to chuck out Facebook from his daily routine. Set to appear for his CBSE examination, Shubham is also thinking about deactivating his Facebook account. “We know Facebook hardly has anything new to offer,” Shubham said. “Facebook is like a refrigerator,” he added.

Not sure if Mark Zuckerberg would be happy with your decision, but your parents and teachers certainly would.

Poetry for leisure

Shreya Manjari has a Wordsworth hidden in her. She loves poetry. So much so that it is almost her favourite pastime.

But the Class X student of Carmel High School, who would appear for her ICSE examination, has decided to curb her poetic passion. “Earlier, almost every other day I used to write a poem. Now, I have stopped doing that,” she said. Believe it or not, she has not written a single poem ever since she was promoted to Class X.

Shreya, once your examinations are over, you can always starting writing again. Do remember to send us a couple of your best compositions.

Cellphone boycott

Rahul Sinha, who is taking the CBSE Class XII examination as a private candidate, has decided to “not touch his cellphone” till the examinations are over. “Mobiles are a major cause of distraction. When I have the cellphone, nothing else seems to matter. So, for these months, I have decided to not use the device,” he said, adding that if he needs to make a call, he would use the landline.

Well said Rahul, but make sure the landline conversations don't stretch beyond a few minutes.

Calculated celebrations

Swati Anand is in a fix. Her ICSE examination is a month away and her aunt is getting married on February 3. “Many of my cousins and relatives would be here to attend the marriage and few of them would stay at my place,” said Swati. While she is happy about the wedding, she does not want to waste a lot of time playing with her cousins. She has taken a hard decision. “I would only attend the marriage function.”

Hope your plan works out Swati.

Books only passion

Shudhanshu has taken his Class X examination so seriously that he has decided to do away with a number of things he loves. He has left riding bikes and playing cricket. “This way, I am saving a lot of time,” Shudhanshu said.

Bikes are unsafe for school students and the boundaries can come later. Shudhanshu's scores are set to soar, albeit on a different pitch.

Guitar back on shelf

Aditya Aanand has kept his guitar aside. The Class X student of St Karen’s Secondary School has decided to take a few extra cups of coffee instead. “I have started studying at night and have stopped playing guitar for the time being,” he said, adding that guitar is his passion, but it is not more important than studies.

Music and studies can go together, if you know where to draw the line. All the best for your studies and exams.

Last week’s question:

Identify this famous religious leader.

Clue: He is a Tibetan Buddhist but has lived in Dharamshala, India, since 1959

The correct answer for last week’s question:

The Dalai Lama

Correct answer was given by:

Utkarsh
Class VI
Creane Memorial School, Gaya

Ajmal Rabbani
Class VII Al-Hira Public School,
Sharif Colony, Patna

Alankriti Jain
Class V St Joseph’s Convent High School, Patna

Karma Lhamo C
lass IX Dechencholing MSS,
Thimphu, Bhutan

This week’s question:

Name the recent sequel to Salman Rushdie’s novel for children, Haroun and the Sea of Stories

Readers can send their answers to ttbihar@abp.in

Remember to mention your name, address, class, school and email id.