Competition: Fear or Foe?
‘Competitive Examination’, the term, triggers pressure for most students. But why?
Are we not competent? Do we lack knowledge? Do we not deserve success, or are we just not meant for these exams? Why is it that the moment we hear the word "competition," the first thing we feel is anxiety, not challenge, not opportunity, just fear?
Because we’ve attached it to a list of unverified fears: lakhs of applicants, limited seats, low success ratio, and endless comparison. But how many of us ever stop to think about the other side, the positive side? These exams are designed to filter the best, and if I prepare with full focus and commitment, why can’t I be one of them?
If you constantly remind yourself of how many people are appearing, you’ll forget what matters, your own effort. You don’t need a 1-in-a-million strategy. You need one clear reason, one focused mind to achieve. These exams don’t demand perfection, they demand persistence.
Competition: A Journey from Childhood to Career
You all think about how good it was being in school during our early childhood years — no heavy study loads, no exam tension, no intense competition. Everything was simple and sorted. But as we grow, studies become more complicated, and in higher studies, competition becomes like Betal who lies on the back of Raja Vikramaditya.
But what if I told you that this competition is not new? It has been there since childhood. When you play with your friends, there is competition. When you write a class test in primary school or nursery, or when your dad asks questions to you and your siblings — competition exists everywhere. It’s not new. It's always been around.
Mindset as a Catalyst
I know you feel things haven't changed, but the truth is, the way you approach them has. Over time, your perspective has shifted—whether you've realized it or not. And this shift, or lack of it, is why you're facing the struggles you are today.
Why does everyone suggest yoga and exercise? Perhaps you've dismissed them as a waste of time, or simply ignored them. But if you pause and reflect, you'll see that these traditional methods are not just habits—they’re rooted in science. They are designed to bring peace to the mind, helping you believe in yourself.
Stop imagining that society or some "evil forces" are out to get you, sitting in air-conditioned offices plotting against your every move. The only thing truly standing in your way is the mindset you've adopted.
Those feelings of pressure or anxiety might stem from older siblings telling you how difficult life can be, or from seeing them struggle. Social media amplifies this, constantly bombarding you with filtered success stories and random facts that make you feel inadequate. But remember—the only thing that has really changed is how you perceive it.
Change your mindset
Remember the Child Within: Stay Curious, Stay Strong
I just want to remind you of something important: you are still the same child who loved to play with friends, watch cartoons, and enjoy life. Don’t let stress or pressure kill that childlike spirit. Pretending to be a grown-up and overthinking every step won't help — it only builds pressure.
Ask yourself: when you first learned to read ‘A’ or write ‘1’, was it easy? No. But did you feel anxiety or fear? Also no. So why now?
The truth is, studies aren’t tough — your approach might be. No student is born to fail. It’s our mindset and thinking pattern that creates interest in different areas. Some engineering students crack UPSC. Some commerce students become judges. It’s all about understanding your path — not the one society sells you, but the one you choose.
Never Grow Too Old to Dream.
Hard Work Has No Alternative
Remember that Victory demands blood. And in your case, that blood is hard work and persistence. That’s your sword, your shield, and your fuel — until the day you clear that exam and claim the life you’ve dreamed of.
Never turn your back and always be prepared to face any situation with full confidence, because today’s retreat becomes tomorrow’s regret. Focus on today, work for tomorrow and soon, your persistence will speak louder than any words. Hard work is not a backup plan. It’s the core responsibility of every student to commit, to study, and to show up for themselves. Once you become your own mirror, you won’t need critics. Those who lack this self-awareness are the ones who turn simple paths into complicated ones.
Competition doesn’t break you — it carves you.
From Questions to Clarity — And From You to Us
Most of you might think, after reading all this, that this is nothing new, just another speaker sharing his own perspective on a well-known problem, like adding a cup of water to the ocean. But I ask you to pause for a moment. If you truly reflect, this piece isn’t about repeating old ideas, it’s about challenging your current approach.
It’s about asking yourself: "Has the way I’ve been thinking and preparing really been enough to get me what I want?"
Surround yourself with champions, not complainers.
We are the youth, and it is our sole responsibility to work hard and make change visible. The journey from ‘day one’ to ‘one day’ may take time, but when it happens, it will reflect our persistence — showing not only our impact but also inspiring others to realize that nothing is impossible. And lastly, never forget that: Fear is sold as motivation. Hopelessness is packaged as realism.