Believe you can and you are half way there: Aishwarya Belle

I don’t have an extraordinary story unlike others but I do have a story of my own. The biggest question in a student’s life is, “what next?” Every student in India successfully completes 10^th and then comes to the first mini hurdle, what stream in senior secondary? Some of the students are pre-determined about what they want and have their paths paved accordingly, the difficulty arise when we are not sure, and this particular faction of ‘I am not sure’ is relatively more in number.

Somehow we even get through 12^th, but what after 12^th seems like an unbreakable immense rock. So what do the students do, we take counselling from elders, friends and acquaintances. Some schools provide career counselling, or there are private counsellors who come up with variety of options a student can opt for. As per my personal experience, I always find them even more befuddling.

Just like every other parent, my dad also took me to this career counselling session held in Jeddah, KSA. Professors from various colleges lectured about what their stream was and the scope of that particular field. Surprisingly I couldn’t find any encouraging thoughts to pursue one of those main stream courses like engineering or medicine. All those counsellors and professors were from exorbitantly different backgrounds. As the first professor presented, he literally convinced me to take up his course. This when I felt that “Yes! I have found what I wanted” but yet another question n was lined up asking me what next?

With every new professor presenting their speech, my heart swayed to the courses the offered. At the end of each session, when my dad asked me how did it help, I specified my confused state of what I wanted or rather the general mentality we students hold, what can I fit into?

After completing 10^th, I was admitted into Birla Balika Vidyapeeth, BITS Pilani. The criteria for admission was 10^th marks, entrance exam and a personal interview. Now as soon as people hear BITS, presumption activates that she will pursue engineering, but here I am studying Law. BBVP grinded and moulded me into a better version of myself. I opted science and had dreams of cracking IIT just like every other student. But what happened in those two years, which changed the entire urge of following the rat race?

My principal Dr. M. Kasturi, had asked me to opt for Arts because she believed that I would hold AIR 1, but I was persistent on science. Later I realised, what she had advised was right but a part of me is also glad that if I won’t have taken the wrong decision, I would have never realised the value of Arts as a course. Unable to crack IIT or score at least well, I was disheartened. Relatives and friends kept calling to enquire about my marks and rank, but I was not the same as what I was till 10^th. I was seeking for admission in a normal engineering college, but to my surprise I got an opportunity to get enrolled into NIT Suratkal.

It was that night when I went to my parents and spoke my heart out. The very first line was, “I don’t want to pursue engineering and I wish to opt for BA.” Taken aback for a while, my parents agreed and supported me. They helped me look for colleges but all the top tier colleges were already done with their entrance exams, so I skipped out on a lot of opportunities.

Wondering how did I suddenly know what I had to do? There are certain instincts and also people who observe what you are good at. So when you are confused, the first thing you want to figure out is what is that one thing that you love doing? Problems don’t get to be any simpler, several questions keep come up, there are several things you like simultaneously, but with every question you ask yourself, did you get a little closer?

After going through my story, you would still wonder why this story is considered different from others. The first lesson you learn, never look down on any subject/ course, a person can excel in every field provided endless dedication and efforts. This is where I justify my decision of choosing science over Arts. Second, do not consider yourself an outcast. If you are not able to fit into the box, trust me everyone is just stuffing themselves in it. Be proud that you’re different. The path might be harder but you will be recognised for it. This is when I scored less and couldn’t get through entrance exams. Third, don’t just readily accept the gold you are offered, maybe diamonds are awaiting for you, “The opportunity at NIT Suratkal”. Fourth, which should actually be the first thing you do, “BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.”

Now the reason for the fourth lesson is my present. I got into CMR Law School pursuing B.A.LL.B. Law was something that interested me and B.A. was something I determined to do. Friends and people looked down on me. People judged me because I wasn’t anywhere near to where they were, I lost hope in myself, I thought I ruined my entire career, in fact entire lifetime ahead of me.

What I want to tell you all is until you enter a full stop, the story still continues. No one can stop you, until you allow them to rule over you. Why do I say so? because I did it, today I have been ranked as the university topper at Karnataka State Law University twice. I restored the faith in me, which actually helped me. It was none other than me, with obvious external support of parents and teachers. Nothing decides where your life ends at, you are wholly and solely responsible for what you want to shape your story into. Courage, belief, struggle and dedication are not just words but the definition of who you are.

About the Author:

My name is Aishwarya Belle and I am currently pursuing B.A. LL.B. from CMR Law School, Bangalore. I have also had a diploma in Cyber Laws. Hobbies have always varied with time, I used to discover a new interest every year. Few of the constant ones are, sketching,