Nursery Rhymes

Ringa Ringa Rosies

Pocket Fulla Posies

Hushaa, Bushaa…

All fall down!

Who hasn’t spent many an hour in their childhood, memorizing and then reciting a ton of nursery rhymes?

While children (and many adults) gleefully sing along the popular ones, do we know the actual history and origin of the popular ones?

Let’s take the case of Ringa Ringa Rosies (that how I would pronounce the rhyme as a kid)

The actual lyrics go:

Ring around the Rosie

Pocket full of Posies

Ashes, Ashes (alternately – Atishoo, Atishoo)

All fall down.

This rhyme has a dark origin. It refers to the Black Death in Europe. The dreaded Bubonic plague swept across Europe in the 1300s. One of the symptoms of the plague, was the appearance of dark, ring like sores on the skin of the victim – Ring around the Rosie.

The plague claimed many a victim, and the streets would be piled up with dead bodies. To counter the foul stench of death, people would stuff their pockets with flowers called posies. In another version of the tale, the poor people had no money to battle the disease. All they had in the pockets were cheap, worthless posies.

The dead bodies were burned, leading to a lot of ashes – the third line. Alternately, the victims would violently sneeze – Atishoo, Atishoo…

The final line refers to the death of the victim.

Pretty dark, eh!

Here’s another one:

Baa Baa Black Sheep

Have you any wool?

Yes Sir, Yes Sir,

Three bags full

One for the master,

One for the dame,

One for the little boy,

Who lives down the lane

This probably refers to the heavy taxes that were imposed upon the commoners. One third of the produce was to be given to the crown, another third would go the church, and the little boy (commoner) was left with barely one third of his produce.

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall

Humpty Dumpty had a great wall

All the King’s horses

And all the King’s men

Could not put Humpty together again

There are various origin stories for this one. My favourite one is the story which claims that Humpty Dumpty refers to a canon which was mounted on a wall. During a particular battle, the canon was knocked off the wall. Despite the valiant efforts of the soldiers and their steeds, the canon could not be mounted again upon the wall. And hence the rhyme.

Yankee Doodle went to town

Riding on a pony

Stuck a feather in his cap

And called it macaroni!

The Americans (especially from the Northern regions) are referred to as Yanks. This ditty was originally sung by British soldiers who sang it to insult the American colonists. They considered the American to be uncouth and less refined. They made fun of them by implying that American thought, sticking a feather in one’s cap, made it fashionable and suitable for high society.

It’s pretty interesting to read up on such back stories and learn more about interesting events from history, and how they have been immortalized through children’s nursery rhymes!

How to Remain Motivated While Preparing for Entrance Exams

Well begun is half done. This line is supposed to mean, if a project is started properly, half the work is already completed. It’s supposed to be positive. However, trust people to turn it around on its head. The nay sayers interpret it to mean that a project that starts on a high, ends up being incomplete!

One of the biggest complaints that I hear from students, is their lack of motivation. While most of them start their preparation on a high, it is very easy to get lost in middle of the journey. The enthusiasm with which they start, dies down quickly and the preparation starts feeling like a burden.

What we need to realise is that the journey to cracking entrance exams like CLAT, NEET, or JEE is long and arduous. These exams are not just tests of your knowledge but also your perseverance, discipline, and focus. 

Here are some tips on how to maintain your levels of motivation on this long, and often boring, journey:

1. Set Clear Goals
   Motivation often stems from having a clear vision of what you want to achieve.

• Define Your “Why”: Ask yourself why you want to pursue the career that the entrance exam is for. Having a personal connection to your goals makes the journey meaningful.
• Break It Down: A long-term goal like cracking the NEET, JEE or CLAT can feel overwhelming. Break it into smaller milestones, such as mastering specific topics, completing mock tests, or achieving weekly targets.
• Visualize Success: Picture yourself achieving your dream—the day you walk across the convocation stage in the college of your dreams. This visualization can be a powerful motivator.

2. Develop a Realistic Study Plan
   A well-organized schedule provides direction and keeps you on track.

• Personalize Your Plan: Create a study plan that fits your learning pace, strengths, and weaknesses. 
• Include Breaks: All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy. Continuous study without breaks leads to burnout. Incorporate short breaks to refresh your mind. 
• Track Your Progress: Maintain a checklist of completed topics. Ticking off each task gives a sense of accomplishment and boosts morale.

3. Find Joy in the Learning Process
   Instead of viewing preparation as a burden, try to enjoy the process of learning.

• Connect Concepts to Real Life: Relate abstract topics to everyday scenarios. For instance, link physics concepts to machines around you, biology topics to the human body or legal principles to real life situations.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Completed a tough chapter? Solved a difficult question? Reward yourself with something you like—a favourite snack, a movie break, or time with friends.

4. Build a Supportive Environment
   Your environment plays a crucial role in sustaining motivation.

• Surround Yourself with Positive Influences: Spend time with friends, family, or mentors who encourage and support you.
• Avoid Negativity: Steer clear of people who constantly compare or discourage you.

5. Stay Inspired with Stories of Success
   Hearing about others who have successfully navigated similar challenges can be incredibly motivating.

• Read Biographies or Interviews: Learn from the experiences of students who cleared NEET, JEE, or CLAT. Understand their struggles and strategies. Be wary of fake experts or mentors.
• Follow Role Models: Identify individuals in your desired field—be it a top lawyer, doctor, or engineer—and draw inspiration from their journeys.
• Remind Yourself of Past Achievements: Reflect on your own successes, big or small, to remind yourself of your capability and determination.

6. Handle Setbacks Positively
   Setbacks are a natural part of any journey, and how you respond to them matters more than the setbacks themselves.

• Learn from Mistakes: Analyse your errors in mock tests or assignments. Treat them as opportunities to improve rather than reasons to despair.
• Avoid Comparing Yourself to Others: Everyone’s journey is unique. Focus on your progress instead of getting discouraged by someone else’s.
• Keep Moving Forward: If you feel demotivated after a bad test or a low-scoring day, take a break, regroup, and resume your efforts. Consistency beats occasional bursts of effort.

7. Maintain a Balanced Lifestyle
   Your physical and mental well-being directly impact your motivation.

• Prioritize Health: Eat nutritious meals, stay hydrated, and avoid junk food. A healthy body fuels a focused mind.
• Exercise Regularly: Even 30 minutes of walking, yoga, or a sport you enjoy can release endorphins and reduce stress.
• Sleep Well: Avoid the temptation to sacrifice sleep for study. Rested minds retain information better and stay motivated longer.

8. Use Positive Self-Talk
   The way you speak to yourself influences your mindset.

• Encourage Yourself: Replace thoughts like “I can’t do this” with “I’ll give my best shot.”
• Celebrate Effort Over Results: Remind yourself that hard work and persistence matter more than short-term outcomes.

9. Take Breaks to Recharge
   Burnout can sap motivation, making breaks essential for maintaining energy and focus.

• Pursue Hobbies: Whether it’s music, art, sports, or reading, hobbies provide a creative outlet and help you unwind.
• Connect with Nature: Spend time outdoors to refresh your mind and reduce stress. A short walk in a park or garden can work wonders.
• Unplug from Technology: Limit distractions from social media or constant notifications. Use technology purposefully, like for online tutorials or study resources.

10. Focus on the Bigger Picture
    Sometimes, the daily grind can make you lose sight of why you’re working so hard. Reconnecting with the larger purpose can re-ignite your motivation.

• Think Beyond the Exam: Remember that exams like CLAT, NEET, and JEE are stepping stones to fulfilling your dreams. Keep the end goal—becoming a lawyer, doctor, or engineer—front and centre in your mind.
• Embrace the Journey: Understand that this preparation phase teaches you discipline, time management, and resilience, skills that will benefit you throughout life.

Remember, the best things in life are always worth a strong effort. Staying motivated during your preparation for CLAT, NEET, or JEE requires a combination of discipline, self-care, and a positive attitude. Take one step at a time, celebrate small victories, and never lose sight of your dreams.

Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Reach out for support whenever you need it, stay consistent in your efforts, and believe in your ability to succeed. With determination and the right mindset, you can turn your aspirations into reality.

Best of luck, and keep striving for excellence!

The Importance of Extracurricular Activities for School Students

“My child used to be a state level tennis player. Should I ask her to quit the sport so that she can focus on her board exams?”

“I used to participate in a lot of Model United Nations. I am planning to prepare for a competitive entrance exam. Should I stop my MUNs?”

These are some of the saddest things that I get to hear, when I meet with students who plan to begin preparations for various school board or entrance exams. The perception of academic pressure and lack of time often puts the fear of poor time management on students, and more often their parents. With academics often being considered as the most important priority in life, extra-curricular activities often get relegated to the back seat, or in most cases, thrown out of the window! 

However, extracurricular activities are more than just hobbies or leisure pursuits—they play a crucial role in shaping a student’s personality, enhancing skills, and providing a well-rounded educational experience. For students aiming for a career in any professional field, the benefits of extracurricular involvement go beyond personal growth. These activities can provide practical skills, build leadership qualities, and serve as distinguishing factors in interviews or admissions. 

What Are Extracurricular Activities?

Extracurricular activities refer to pursuits outside the regular academic curriculum. These can include Sports (cricket, tennis, karate, chess), Arts and Creative pursuits (Music, Dance, Theatre, Painting), Academic Clubs (Debates, Quizzing, Model United Nations), Community Service (Volunteering, Social Campaigns), Leadership roles (School councils, project leads) or even Entrepreneurial Ventures (small business setup). These activities are not mere diversions. They often serve as powerful tools for personal and professional growth.

The Role of Extracurricular Activities in Holistic Development

While competitive exams seem to require academic knowledge, this is not entirely true. Many management colleges do test students on their communication, leadership and teamwork skills through selection processes such as Personal Interviews and Group Discussions. Interpersonal skills, analytical abilities, creativity and confidence are key parameters on which students are often judged in order to get admission.

Extracurricular activities play a vital role in enhancing these qualities and more. What better than a debate, an MUN or an extempore speech competition to enhance communication and confidence? What better than sports to develop teamwork skills, perseverance and stress management? What better than volunteer work to develop interpersonal skills, sense of responsibility and teamwork?

Creative pursuits like music, dance, theatre and painting stimulate innovative thinking. The ability to think outside the box is a huge asset for any professional career. Taking leadership roles at school and community events hone decision-making, leadership, teamwork qualities.

Academic Benefits of Extracurricular Activities

Contrary to the belief that extracurriculars distract from academics, they can significantly enhance learning and performance. A good student manages to learn effective time management, to be able to juggle their academics with their extra curriculars. This is one of the key skills that can help during competitive entrance exams.

Preparing for exams tend to induce stress in the student. Engaging in sports or creative arts provide a break from the academic monotony. A well-rested brain can often study more productively than a tired one. 

From personal experience, I can vouch for the fact that students who actively participate in extra-curricular activities often tend to better academic performs due to improve cognitive abilities and time management.

Extracurricular Activities and Career Readiness

Extracurricular activities are not just a means of self-expression—they also prepare students for professional life.

Students who participate in MUNs, often build skills such as advocacy, critical thinking and logical reasoning – skills that are useful for lawyers. 

Event management or entrepreneurial projects can cultivate leadership, negotiation and organizational skills – important traits for business managers.

Extracurricular achievements add weight to resumes and applications for universities or internships. Admissions panels for law and business schools often prefer candidates with diverse experiences and interests.

Personal Growth Through Extracurricular Activities

Beyond academics and career preparation, extracurricular activities contribute to personal growth and character building.

Winning competitions boosts the confidence of a student. It instils self-belief and helps overcome stage fright. This confidence is essential to ace personal interviews and group discussions.

Even losses in competitions teach students the value of perseverance and the ability to bounce back.

Activities involving social interaction, such as volunteering or team sports, improve empathy and interpersonal skills. Emotional intelligence is highly valued in fields like law and management, where understanding people is key.

Exposure to different activities and people enhances cultural awareness and open-mindedness. These traits are particularly beneficial for law and business students who often work in diverse environments.

Managing Extracurriculars with Academic Preparation

One common concern is how to balance extracurricular activities with rigorous academic schedules. Here are some tips:

1. Prioritize Your Time

• Identify activities that align with your interests and goals.
• Allocate fixed time slots for extracurriculars without compromising study time.

     2. Set Realistic Goals

• Avoid overcommitting to multiple activities.
• Focus on quality over quantity—choose activities where you can excel and learn meaningfully.

     3. Use Extracurriculars as Study Breaks

• Engage in relaxing activities like music or sports during study breaks to recharge.
• This prevents burnout and keeps your mind sharpe.

     4. Leverage Holidays and Weekends

• Utilize weekends or school vacations for activities requiring longer commitments, such as community service or workshops.

The Role of Schools and Parents in Encouraging Extracurricular Activities

Parents should encourage children to explore their interests and avoid pressuring them to focus solely on academics. Support and understanding go a long way in helping students manage both spheres.

Schools can help create an environment where academics and extracurriculars coexist. Organizing inter-school competitions, fairs, or clubs fosters holistic development.

Extracurricular activities are not just add-ons to a student’s life; they are integral to personal, academic, and professional growth. For Indian students preparing for competitive exams like the JEE, NEET, CLAT or IPMAT, these activities offer a much-needed balance, help develop essential skills, and make their profiles stand out in a competitive landscape.

While academics are undeniably important, extracurricular pursuits provide the creativity, resilience, and holistic development required to excel in today’s world. As you prepare for your exams, make time for activities that inspire and challenge you. Remember, the lessons learned outside the classroom are often the ones that shape your success and identity the most.

So, step out of your comfort zone, pursue your passions, and embrace the opportunities that extracurricular activities bring into your life. You are not just preparing for an exam—you are preparing for life.