“STUDENTS ARE THE HEART OF EDUCATION”

“EXPERT OPINION”
By: Maruthai Ravindhiran

As a student, your fundamental duty is to focus on your studies, “accumulate knowledge,” and “enhance your skills” with a positive attitude. You should “make those practices a habit” to succeed in life. To reach the highest echelon in your chosen career, you must have a “clear vision and values” for your life. Always “dream big” and “aim high” to translate your vision into reality. I humbly believe that “your dreams must be bigger than the obstacles” to become an achiever.

DEFINITION OF SUCCESS

Success is defined as the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. To be successful, the fundamental requirement is to have a “purpose” in your life. The dictionary describes success as “attaining wealth, prosperity, and fame.” Being successful means achieving desired visions and planned goals. Furthermore, success can signify a certain social status that describes a prosperous person who has also gained fame for a favorable outcome. Success is an attitude.

REALIZE YOUR DREAMS IN THE NEW YEAR

The new year is around the corner. All of us are full of hopes, dreams, and expectations to be successful in our chosen endeavors in the new year. I am sure that most of you have prepared your New Year’s Resolutions by now. Some of you would have written down your plans and are ready to execute them. Some may only have wishful thinking. This is not good enough, as “a goal without a plan is just a wish.” By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.

For those who do not have a plan, it is time to wake up and prepare yourselves to march forward in this new year. Perhaps, you could follow in the footsteps of successful people. You need to “plan your work” and “work your plan.” The secret of your success is determined by your daily agenda. I strongly recommend having a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, bi-annual, and annual plan. Remember: Plans are nothing; planning is everything. Furthermore, working on your planning is the ultimate key to success. Your positive action combined with positive thinking results in success.

While planning, you should have “clarity of thought.” Additionally, you need to “prioritize and organize your plans,” as time management plays a pivotal role in your student career and life.

MY SECRETS FOR YOU TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK AND STUDENT LIFE

You should:

• “Think clearly about your future.”
• “Generate ideas to meet your goals and objectives in your student career and life.”
• “Overcome obstacles and problems and face challenges.”
• “Try, do, do it again, and again, keep doing, and finally succeed.”

However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do to succeed. Success is not built on success it is built on failure, frustration, and sometimes even catastrophe. It is crucial to have a mentor, as they can have a profound impact on your life.

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE TO CHANGE THE ALTITUDE IN YOUR LIFE

In planning and implementation, you need to talk to yourself. As Swami Vivekananda advised, “Talk to yourself at least once a day…Otherwise, you may miss a meeting with an excellent person in this world.”

He also said that the great secret of true success and happiness is this: “The man or woman who asks for no return the perfectly unselfish person is the most successful.”

Finally, you should not be a “solipsistic person,” but rather an “empathetic” person. I have learned that empathy means “seeing with the eyes of another,” “listening with the ears of another,” and “feeling with the heart of another.”

Additionally, you should have “gratitude as an attitude” in your life. In my humble opinion, “the attitude of gratitude will change your altitude” in your student career and life. “Gratitude is a multivitamin for the soul.” Once expressed, it changes attitudes, brightens outlooks, and broadens perspectives.

Hence, cultivate these human qualities and keep working to benefit your society, family, and yourself. You are the “heart of education.” By doing so, you will be a truly successful person and may even conquer this world.

Wishing you a great and successful journey in 2025 and beyond.

Maruthai Ravindhiran is a Corporate Sales and Marketing Adviser, Trainer, Strategist, and Language Specialist. He is also a Life Transformational and Life Management Coach.