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AN inspirational teenager set up a special class for pupils to help them face the exam season with confidence and cope with the stresses and strains they may encounter.
Former Indian School head boy Abhishek Ashok Shetty staged an enlightening tutorial entitled ‘You are a Topper’, which he funded himself, at the Arab Asian Business Centre in Segaiya.
More than 50 students from five different schools attended the session organised by the 18-year-old from Adliya.
Abhishek said: “The seminar was based on personal experience. I learned what the best students do to approach their academic life and master their exams.
“Once I found out how they achieved the best results, I applied the same strategies in my life and achieved the same extra-ordinary results.
“I wanted to share this message with other students so they can become a school or college topper too and achieve their goals.”
The seminar cost Abhishek BD100 to stage, taking in hall hire and advertising material. He offered tips on how to balance studies and extracurricular activities and on how to prepare to sit examinations. Entry was free and seats were limited to a first come, first served basis.
His advice was timely as schools and colleges across the kingdom have become a hive of academic angst. For example, more than 125,600 government school students have started their second-term finals and exams for more than 28,000 final year secondary school students will run until June 7.
Private schools in Bahrain have also started setting aside halls and rooms for various examinations which will continue over the next few weeks.
The student has also started a Facebook page entitled ‘Abhishek’s Empowerment Initiative’ to help youngsters who could not make the seminar.
He said: “I post links, pictures, videos and small messages to help others find the best in themselves. If I change even one person’s life through this page and help him or her achieve their full potential then I believe I have achieved my mission.
“I believe that by bringing out the best in everybody around you, you will bring out the best in yourself.”
According to his mum Vandana, a housewife who also helps her husband Ashok in the family advertising business in Bahrain, Abhishek has worked as hard out of the classroom as he has in it.
She said: “We are very proud of him and I believe he will go far. He wants to teach the children in Bahrain because he was born here and this is his home.”
Abhishek said: “I have always been involved in a lot of extracurricular activities and still managed to keep my grades up. I became the head boy of my school, represented the Bahrain national cricket team at the U15 and U19 levels and played table tennis in a national competition.
“I also started a social service club with a couple of friends on Facebook. We now have about 300 plus members and are contributing to a variety of social causes.”
“What students need to understand is that you can do really well in school and yet continue pursuing your hobbies or passions as long as you learn to prioritise and say no to demands on your time.
“Find out what is most important to you and make it your life mission to make sure you are spending your best time of the day doing that task.
“As for preparing for your exams, one of the best advice I can give is to find out exactly how this subject will help you in the future.
“Also, it’s important that you change your perception of exams. Exams are fun. Practice as many papers as possible and time your papers properly. Knowing exactly how much time you are giving to each mark or point will make a difference. You will then see yourself enjoying and mastering your exams more often.
“Start chasing your love and understanding of the subjects you have and not the marks. Fall in love with your subjects and eventually you will see that the marks naturally appear.
“I discovered these tricks from former students who were the top achievers. It worked for them, it worked for me and it can also work for others.”
Indian School student Isaiah Braganza, 13, from Juffair attended the seminar with some class mates. He said: “I have gained a lot from Shetty and it was great. I was studying for my maths exam at the time. He taught me to prioritise my time and use it efficiently.”
Abhishek was born in Bahrain and his family, from Mumbai in India, have lived here for more than 35 years.
He has been at the top of his class for the past three years and is regarded as an A+ student. He has completed his board examinations, the final secondary high school tests, and plans to take a media related course at university in India and follow in the footsteps of his sister Yojna, 21, who recently graduated and will shortly undertake her masters in graphic design in New York, US.
The business-savvy teenager also wants to put his teaching skills to good use and one day start a company organising educational events. He would also like to conduct more seminars in the future and believes it is a golden opportunity for schools to take part in.
