From Storms to Sails

Truth be told, every student gets a relentless barrage of pressure from their peers, parents, and teachers with a simple yet daunting question, “Girl, which stream do you want to go for?” At that moment, every student will dreadfully delay that question with "I’ll deal with it later; there’s still time," as if they are trying to outrun a horrifying storm. But as the deadline gets closer, the situation becomes more intense and you’re forced to make a decision. To all students, you are not alone in this tempest. It’s fine to feel overwhelmed by the process of choosing a stream, and it may seem like a towering mountain, but in 20 years' time, it might just be a small bump on the road in your long journey. Apart from that, there are pervasive stereotypes casting long shadows over your choices, such as "You're considered smart if you choose the science stream" and "Any stream other than the science stream is not so impressive." Once again, you are not alone. These stereotypes are merely echoes of other people’s unsolicited opinions and do not define your worth or your future. When the dust settles and the whirlwind subsides, what remains is your path to forge, and it is you who is going to make a career out of it. Think of this choice not merely as a decision about which stream to follow but as an opportunity to understand yourself better. And with that, it’s up to you to navigate these waters with confidence. Remember, your commitment and passions will be the winds in your sails, and you should embrace the path that you have carved out for yourself.

By Karti Adrika Nathan, 15