Category: Trending

blog Trending | 5min Read

The Dilemma of Reading

Published on April 6, 2023

FacebookTwitterWhatsApp
Categories
blog Trending

The Dilemma of Reading

Introduction

As a prospective student of literature, the idea of reading to me sounds marvellous. However it isn’t just me who finds this idea to be extremely appealing. Out of all my friends who enjoy reading, most aren’t pursuing literature or even a humanities-related field- a lot of them have even read more books than me! The fact of the matter is that reading is for everyone. Yes, everyone. No matter who you are, you will find something to read that strikes your fancy in all domains of interest.

But how do I know this? Well, in truth, books and literature have existed for centuries, and thus it has evolved and branched out into several modes of writing. Legends, epics, inscriptions. Short stories, novels, creative nonfiction. Essays, poetry, plays. Graphic novels, novellas, memoirs. There’s so many inherently different styles of writing. Different themes that can be explored. Different cities, towns, worlds and universes to explore, different cultures to understand, different perspectives to witness. If the idea of books is that of a daunting behemoth of a task, rest assured. It doesn’t have to be. If you want to get into reading but don’t know where to start, this is for you. The focus of the rest of this blog is to give suggestions on how one can get into reading.

The Big Idea: “Endurance”

Imagine- you just saw a TEDTalk on how Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment is a must-read. That it’s a book that takes you through every lesson of life you could possibly learn. You were never particularly enthused by books, but now you are enticed by the idea of this novel, so on impulse you buy the book, only to open it, read the first 5 pages and put the book down. A frown places itself on your face. You ask yourself, “what was that?” “What were those words?” “Why are the paragraphs so long?” and “I mean, I love the idea of this book but how will I read 600 more pages of this book? I think I should give up reading while I’m ahead”.

It’s time to combat these thoughts though, because much like deciding on jogging continuously for an hour despite never jogging in your life, reading something thick and verbose despite never really reading before is difficult. In the former, your chest fills up, your muscles ache and you immediately feel like sleeping. In the latter, you put the book down and decide to do something else instead. Both these examples portray fallacious thinking and ignore the grand method behind getting into either exercise regimes or reading: endurance. Building up skills over time at a comfortable, yet consistent pace.

Let’s explore specific methods you can use to get into reading whilst practising endurance:

1- Read books that are “simple” first

A lot of books are simplistic. That never means that they have less merit, however it does mean that they are easy to get through and often times motivates people to get into reading more and more, until their reading skills develop to the point where even Dickens and Blake seems easily understandable and all those personifications, tricolons, allusions, symbols and metaphors fit into place, like gears clicking together; like a jigsaw puzzle.

2- Set goals in your reading journey

If it helps, set up a Goodreads account and find your book loving friends from real life and across the internet. Setting goals just as you are getting into reading is extremely important, as it helps you read on days where you may not want to. Reading inconsistently especially when you’re not overtly into reading will generally not produce favourable results.

3- Read books that sound appealing to you first

If you’re interested in science fiction, romance or horror, read something of that genre first. In your first ventures, forcing yourself to read something you may or may not like may under unfortunate circumstances, sour your experience with reading. If you enjoy watching romantic comedies, let your first reading experience be a well-received and acclaimed lighthearted romance novel or short story collection.

If you are invested in philosophy, read a simple book of philosophical fiction, such as one of Voltaire’s novellas, like “Candide”. Similarly, conduct research, read spoiler-free reviews and ask anyone around you who loves books to find a safe reading option to ease yourself into. After a few safe books, taking risks in terms of reading more unfamiliar material will be foolproof- now if the book isn’t to your liking, you at least know from your previous example that all books don’t have to be like that! If you want to be a diverse and avid reader though, do step out of your comfort genre, author or topic once you are comfortable with reading.

4- Socialise with people who enjoy books

Lastly, you should surround yourself with people who enjoy reading as well! You can join a book club where you have to read a new book every week and discuss it together, or just talk to people reading similar books as you or who have read and enjoyed similar books as you. You can also socialise with those who, like you, are just getting into reading.

Actively discussing specific books as well as reading goals and experiences, and giving each other opinions and recommendations will, in most cases, harbour a motivating environment and attitude towards reading. Think of the exercise analogy again, if you want to get into exercising, maybe going into a gym that is known for being warm and inviting, or joining an exercise group eases you into things. It’s true that some people are individually driven though, so this doesn’t have to apply to everyone, but even as an introvert who already loves reading, discussing my favourite (and least favourite) books with my friends definitely makes the entire experience much more exciting.

These are some of my suggestions, and if you wish to get into reading, do feel free to try these and see which methods work. I would like to stress that getting into reading requires the reader to have a degree of self-involvement, self-motivation and open mindedness. The world of literature is boundless. Utterly boundless. You venture through thoughts, ideas, people. Through countries, cities, and dingy rooms. Through time. Through hearts. Through the depths of the ocean to the expanse of the endless azure sky. Through worlds that don’t exist and worlds that could exist if we were better or worse.

Like F. Scott Fitzgerald says, “That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you’re not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong.”

Naomi is an aspiring creative writer who one day, dreams till write and run a tv show. She is an avid reader, but apart from that, loves playing the piano, listening to a diverse array of music and even composing music from time to time. Naomi is currently in 12th grade and about to graduate- looking forward to study English literature and creative writing in the UK. In her free time, she likes to watch tv, read books, listen to podcasts and take walks in the park to observe how the trees look like they're breathing when it is windy.

Editor's Pick

blog Trending | 3min Read

The Cambridge Debating Style and the Storied Legacy of the Cambridge Union

Published on April 3, 2023

FacebookTwitterWhatsApp
Categories
blog Trending

The Cambridge Debating Style and the Storied Legacy of the Cambridge Union

Introduction

The Cambridge Union, founded in 1815, is a cornerstone of academic debate and intellectual exchange at the University of Cambridge. Steeped in history and tradition, it has fostered a unique debating style that distinguishes it from other debating societies around the world. In this essay, we will delve into the essence of the Cambridge Debating Style and explore the rich legacy of the Cambridge Union.

The Cambridge Debating Style

The Cambridge Debating Style, also known as the British Parliamentary Style, is characterized by its emphasis on clarity, wit, and brevity. This format typically involves four teams, with two teams supporting a motion and two teams opposing it. Each team consists of two speakers, and the debate is structured around a series of alternating speeches, with each speaker given a set amount of time to present their arguments.

A hallmark of the Cambridge Debating Style is the use of Points of Information (POIs), which enable speakers from opposing teams to interject during a speech and challenge the speaker’s arguments. This element not only tests the speaker’s ability to think on their feet but also encourages a dynamic and engaging exchange of ideas.

The Cambridge Union

The Cambridge Union has played a pivotal role in nurturing the art of debate at the University of Cambridge. Over the years, it has hosted numerous distinguished speakers, including prime ministers, Nobel laureates, and renowned figures from various fields. By providing a platform for these individuals to share their insights, the Union has fostered intellectual curiosity and stimulated thought-provoking discussions among students and the wider community.

In addition to its regular debates, the Cambridge Union also organizes workshops, training sessions, and competitions to nurture budding debaters and develop their skills in the Cambridge Debating Style. The Union’s commitment to fostering intellectual growth is further exemplified by its impressive library, which houses an extensive collection of books, journals, and historical documents, serving as a vital resource for students and researchers.

The Impact of the Cambridge Union

The Cambridge Union’s influence extends far beyond the confines of the university. Its members have gone on to make significant contributions to politics, academia, and various other fields, demonstrating the impact that rigorous debate and intellectual engagement can have on shaping future leaders.

Moreover, the Union’s legacy has inspired the establishment of other debating societies worldwide, spreading the principles of the Cambridge Debating Style to a global audience. The annual Cambridge IV debating tournament, for instance, attracts teams from around the world, fostering an international exchange of ideas and fostering a global appreciation for the art of debate.

Conclusion

The Cambridge Debating Style and the Cambridge Union together represent a cherished tradition of intellectual inquiry and discourse at the University of Cambridge. By championing open and respectful debate, the Union has not only helped shape generations of leaders and thinkers but has also played a vital role in promoting the free exchange of ideas on a global scale. In a world fraught with challenges and uncertainties, the continued relevance of the Cambridge Union and its unique debating style underscores the importance of critical thinking and open dialogue as essential tools for building a better future.

P.S – If you found this interesting – you can check out our debate workshop from Oxford and Cambridge –

26th June - 30th June 2023

Mentorship by Expert Oxford & Cambridge Academics | Certificate of Achievement from Oxford and Cambridge Programmes.

Learn More

Editor's Pick

blog Trending | 1min Read

SAT vs ACT

Published on March 29, 2023

FacebookTwitterWhatsApp
Categories
blog Trending

SAT vs ACT

The SAT and ACT are well-known standardized tests used in the college admissions process across the United States. However, there are a few key differences between the two:

  1. Format: The SAT comprises two primary sections (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math), with an optional essay component. In contrast, the ACT includes four main sections (English, Math, Reading, and Science) and also offers an optional essay.
  2. Content: While the SAT places a greater emphasis on vocabulary and intricate reading comprehension, the ACT features a Science section and delves deeper into advanced Math concepts, such as trigonometry.
  3. Scoring: The SAT has a maximum score of 1600, with each section worth 800 points. The ACT, on the other hand, is scored out of 36, with the average score hovering around 20. Both tests have optional sections that don’t contribute to your overall score.
  4. Timing: The SAT allocates more time per question for each section, whereas the ACT presents more questions but allows for less time per question.
  5. Strategy: Some students believe that the SAT is more strategy-oriented, emphasizing test-taking techniques like process of elimination. Others, however, find the ACT to be more straightforward.

Ultimately, both tests are accepted by most colleges and universities, and many students choose to take both and see which score is higher. It’s important to research the requirements of the schools you’re interested in to determine which test (if any) is required, and to prepare accordingly.

Editor's Pick

blog Trending | 3min Read

Academic Pressure and the Problems that It Poses to Teens

Published on

FacebookTwitterWhatsApp
Categories
blog Trending

Academic Pressure and the Problems that It Poses to Teens

As a society, we place great emphasis on academic success and the pressure to perform well in school, especially during the teenage years, as this is the time when academics start to make an impact on a student’s future. This pressure can stem from parents, teachers, peers, and even from the students themselves. The intense pressure to succeed academically can lead to various problems, including high levels of stress and anxiety, a decline in mental health, and a decrease in overall academic performance, achieving the opposite of what is required from them. 

It is important to understand the causes and consequences of academic pressure on teenagers, to implement methods to alleviate the burden and promote healthy academic achievement. 

One of the main causes of academic pressure on teenagers is the societal expectation that success in education is crucial to future success in life. This belief puts immense pressure on teenagers to perform well academically, as they believe their entire future is at stake, and to couple with this, students are praised for academic achievements and belittled for failure, creating a toxic environment where success is the only acceptable outcome. Barring a student from learning from failure and depending on their academic validation as a source of self-worth. 

Another cause of academic pressure is the competitive nature of our education system. Most education systems have a rubric that is followed strictly and does not engage a student’s unique learning style and abilities, instead favoring rote memorization and test-taking ability. This leaves little room for individuality and creativity, in turn muffling a child’s ambitions and talents, ultimately leading to a loss of interest in learning and further contributing to the pressure on students. This can be incredibly stressful for students who do not excel in these areas, leading to a decline in academic performance which leads to a downward spiral of self-doubt and hatred, which could lead to unhealthy habits to cope like drug abuse, self-harm or even suicidal tendencies. 

However, all hope is not lost, as there are effective ways of fixing this, The best way to alleviate academic pressure is by promoting a growth mindset approach, where students are encouraged to view failure as an opportunity for growth and development, rather than a source of shame and inadequacy. This approach emphasizes the idea that with effort and persistence, abilities can be developed over time, which instills a sense of agency and motivation in students. Teachers and parents can foster this mindset by providing feedback that emphasizes effort and progress, rather than solely focusing on grades and test scores, allowing the student to fully develop their potential and talents. After all, school is about learning and personal growth, not just achieving high grades.

A more viable method, that doesn’t require a system change would be to make smaller support groups, and increase awareness about this problem. 

These support groups could be led by teachers, counselors or peer mentors, and would provide students with a safe space to express their concerns and fears, and help them deal with the pressure safely and healthily, and by creating awareness we are informing students, parents, and educators about the negative effects of academic pressure, hopefully preventing them from falling into the same trap.

In conclusion, academic pressure on teenagers is a significant issue that affects their mental health and overall well-being, and taking steps to address this problem is essential. Promoting a growth mindset approach and creating smaller support groups can help students overcome academic pressure, and create a healthier learning environment where individuality and personal growth are valued just as much as academic achievement, and it is crucial to our society, that younger generations can escape this vicious cycle of academic pressure and prioritize their mental health, so they can fully reach their potential in all areas of life.

Editor's Pick

blog Innovation Trending | 5min Read

The Unlikely Relationship Between Gardening, Well-Being, and the Environment

Published on

FacebookTwitterWhatsApp
Categories
blog Innovation Trending

The Unlikely Relationship Between Gardening, Well-Being, and the Environment

I remember playing baseball on my school field. During breaks, I would point my finger toward my apartment complex (I live right next door to the school) and excitedly tell my friends, “That’s my house!” Seeing the confused looks on their faces as they struggled to discern which of the 300 apartments was mine, I said, “The one with the balcony overgrown with all those plants.” Populated by Malabar chestnuts, heliconias, palms, and pink and white bougainvilleas whose vines reach down to the apartment below, my balcony resembles a mini forest. The number of nests we find there is proof enough of how homey our balcony is for birds.

Since we live in the city, this was the most one could do. When the pandemic broke out, I started watering the plants to help around the house. It was one of the most relaxing activities of my day amidst the chaos of online school and the anxiety of being cooped up at home.

It calmed me to walk back and forth from the kitchen with the heavy dark green watering can in my hand, tip it over, and listen to the soothing sound as the water hit the damp earth. The routine forced me to get up and move my body after sitting in a chair all day. In those moments, I forgot about the work going through my mind, my phone, or the TV and was just there. I also noticed other apartments. I could not spot more than one or two lonely potted plants lying unkempt on neighboring balconies. The lack of plants made it clear that most people were unaware of the many benefits that gardening has for us

Many online resources describe the positive impact gardening can have on our lifestyle and well-being. Many have noted that gardeners eat better and consume more fibre. Many have also explained gardeners’ likeliness to be in a better mood since physical activity releases endorphins (the hormone that helps relieve pain, reduce stress, and improve a person’s overall well-being). Direct contact with the sun can also provide them with an additional supply of vitamin D!

These discoveries have led to the development of a new concept: Community gardens. As the name suggests, community gardens are places where people garden together. They represent a promising nature-based lifestyle intervention. According to an article published in The Lancet Planetary Health, community gardening offers “structural opportunities for eating healthy diets and being active.” These gardens are also a “refuge from everyday stressors and a way to enhance ecological connections.” Components of a community garden project include proximity to nature, access to tools for growing, eating, and sharing food, opportunities for outdoor physical activity, and a network of neighbours who share an interest in gardening.

The article describes an experiment conducted to measure the effects of community gardening on a person’s diet, physical activity, and anthropometric results. The results were promising and confirmed the author’s hypothesis.

For example, the study found that participation in community gardening led to more physical activity than the average American. It was discovered that randomizing the community garden groups reduced stress and anxiety levels, with the greatest reduction seen in those with higher levels of these at the beginning of the study. Having baseline stress and anxiety behaviors and experiences can help to prevent cancer and other chronic conditions.

In addition, in assessing the effectiveness of the study, the authors compared their findings to another qualitative study in which “gardeners cited greater accessibility to fruits and vegetables, better taste and freshness of garden produce, an emotional connection to homegrown food, enjoyment of eating garden produce together, and a desire not to waste food as reasons for eating garden produce.” The authors conclude that community garden networks are “multi-component interventions that could reduce risk factors for cancer and other chronic diseases and promote wellness worldwide.”

Over the past 250 years, humans have released large amounts of CO2 emissions and other heat-trapping greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere by burning coal, oil, and natural gas in power plants, cars, homes, and factories. The accumulation of these gases has led to a rapid rise in the Earth’s average surface temperature. Global warming will continue to accelerate in the coming decades unless we curtail the pollution responsible for it. This is where gardening comes in. 

Planting trees and other plant species significantly increases the absorption of CO2. Trees can absorb and store up to a ton of CO2 from the environment. For example, one study found that each of the 85 million American households that planted just one young shade tree in their yard or community would absorb over two million tons of CO2 per year! Planting shade trees near your home can also help you save money on cooling in the summer.

The link between gardening and mitigating climate change is a surprise to many. But the growing numbers of studies are confirming this belief. Indeed, many of the impacts of global warming extend to gardening. Some of the associated changes include:

  • Rising temperatures and fluctuating precipitation patterns cause plants to flower earlier. This results in unpredictable growing seasons. Heat-loving plants such as tomatoes are also suffering from the intensified hot climate.
  • Invasive and non-native plant and animal communities (such as kudzu, garlic mustard, and purple loosestrife) are spreading. This rapid growth in their populations is threatening weaker ecosystems and native species.
  • Important connections between pollinators, breeding birds, insects, and other wildlife and the plants they depend on are disrupted.

Audrey Hepburn once said, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” These changes in our environment and ecosystems are warning signs. We need to take more effective action to reduce our carbon emissions drastically. Below are some alternative suggestions from the National Wildlife Federation on how we can contribute to the movement to protect our planet and not compromise our gardening habits.

  • Improve your energy efficiency: using energy-efficient appliances and reducing energy consumption in your home can lower your carbon footprint. You can replace outdoor light bulbs with high-efficiency LED bulbs, install automatic timers for outdoor lighting, or purchase solar-powered garden products for your yard/balcony.
  • Reduce water use: there are several ways to reduce water use in your garden, especially during extended heat waves and droughts. Mulching, building rain barrels, changing your watering schedule, and using drip irrigation are examples.
  • Compost kitchen and garden waste: by composting these wastes, you reduce your contribution to carbon pollution, especially methane, a potent greenhouse gas. They are also an excellent source of nutrients for your plants and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. Gray water reuse is also a great technique you can use. It involves treating wastewater from appliances such as dishwashers, showers, and sinks to reuse for flushing or gardening.

These are excellent examples and strategies to step in the right direction. The threat of climate change and global warming hovers over our heads, but we can remedy it, one helpful deed at a time. Whether you live in the city or the country or have a large garden or a small balcony, I urge you to make the most of your space and plant a garden. Although few people realize or understand it, gardening has much to offer our well-being and our planet. I hope this blog post has helped provide some insight into the wonderful possibilities of gardening. Let us make the most of it together!

By Eedha Kaul | Oberoi International School

Editor's Pick