Engineering Myth: "KTs are the norm!"

"Start getting used to KTs!!" are the first words of wisdom you hear when you enter an Indian engineering college. Is this indeed a harsh reality? Or are we fooling ourselves into this limiting belief that "Failure is normal"? The numbers seem to say a resounding 'Yes'!!

A key contributor is the approach to studying. The normal 'chill out during the semester and slog during the study leave' vs the 'Study regularly during entire semester'

Even the easiest 'study regularly in the entire semester' mode provides 179% more hours than the usual 'Slog during the study leave' plan. Would it be safe to assume that the results might be different too? 179% more work could fetch us at least 30% more in results? Let us see how.

Key Observations during the calculations:

• Professor are NOT assumed to be perfect in both modes - only 70% effective
• Only 1 hour of daily home study and just 4 hours on Sunday assumed for the 'Regular' mode! Attendance assumed is the minimum mandated 75%!
• Effectiveness is key. We fail to realize the reduction in effectiveness when we lose continuity in class and copy assignments. Consistency contributes to a lot.
• The 'Slog mode' achieves just 35 effective study hours in the entire semester!! Though we seem to attend a lot of classes and do a lot of assignments!! 
• For all the "chilling out" we think we do, the total hours put in both modes are almost the same(1413 hrs in regular mode and 1158 hrs in slog mode) 
• The difference is in the outcome i.e. productivity: 87% productivity in Regular mode vs a measly 38% in slog mode. No wonder why slog mode always results in being 'on the border of a KT' despite 'putting in the same amount of work'
• Almost 720 hours are wasted in the slog mode(more than 70%) Can you imagine how frustrating that can be? Is it surprising that we end up hating engineering and the frustration lasts beyond the academic years?

Questions worth asking:

• The slog approach relies on studying most in the least time. Can we imagine the amount of unproductivity, stress and fear of failure this can lead to?
• We think we are chilling out a lot - but in reality, the chill mode gives us only 18% or 255 hrs to chill out, than regular mode. But it leads to 720 hours of WASTAGE!!! Is it worth it? 
• Instead of 'wasting' 720 hours in working, but not benefiting, what if we consciously decided to miss some classes, spend the time in extra-curricular activities, and then catch up with studies? The 179% advantage might be reduced, but it is still OK!! It would allow us to succeed at studies as well as extra curricular activities! This allows us to build a good 'story' when the placement season arrives
• If we look at the numbers, the regular approach is actually much easier than the slog approach AND gives us a 179% advantage. It even gives us scope to become an all-rounder, pick up other hobbies.  It is a win-win situation. Why do we then keep opting for the harmful alternative?

Hopefully this forces us to question our limiting beliefs and make our college time easier, less stressful and more effective!