The SSC Board year of one of the most changeful times of my life, loaded up with critical ups and downs and a series of events that I will never forget. While the importance of these exams didn’t resonate deeply with me, to my teachers and society, they were paramount, akin to a critical battle that must be won.
What is the SSC Board
The SSC board stands for secondary school certificate examination which is an examination board that comes under the government of the state. this board is responsible for conducting various school examinations in their own state. the board is responsible for conducting board exams in schools and it is for students who complete 10 years or more of study.
It is important to pass the SSC board examination so that the student can start studying for higher education and get a better future in studies. there are specific boards within each state such as in Chhattisgarh the SSC board is known as CGBSE or Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education which is an SSC board responsible for exams for students in the state of Chhattisgarh.
The Curriculum of the SSC Board
The curriculum of the SSC board is different from state to state but generally, it covers the same subjects with minor differences, and the main focus of the board is to provide a balanced education for the students and make sure that the students get to learn the key subjects which is important for the students in the 9th grade as well as 10th grade.
Following are the subjects which are usually taught at SSC Board:
- Language Subject.
- Mathematics.
- Science.
- Social Studies.
- Environmental Studies (EVS)
- Computer Science/IT (Optional)
- Physical Education/Health Education.
How the SSC Board is Different From Other Boards
The SSC (Secondary School Certificate) Board is different as compared to other boards like CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Instruction), ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Training), and international boards like IB (International Baccalaureate) for the most part because of its curriculum design, and assessment methods. The educational plan is customized to the different needs of the students, subjects such as history, mathematics and other important subjects, which frequently makes it different as compared with CBSE or ICSE.
The SSC exams tend to focus on rote learning and memorization rather than the critical thinking and application-based assessments found in other boards.
Beginning of the Year
When the SSC board started, I was energetic and drew in into my examinations, performing great in all subjects However, in August, I fell seriously ill and had to miss an entire month of school. This absence had a significant effect, particularly on my math subject, which at that point I hated. When I returned, I struggled and eventually failed a math exam.
Things Change
The failure marked a turning point. The teachers who had once supported and encouraged me shifted their attention to other students. My friends, who I had consistently assisted with their examinations, additionally removed themselves from my life.
My math teacher insisted I attend extra classes to catch up, but these sessions felt ineffective and unproductive. Despite my resistance, the pressure from other teachers to attend these classes grew, even though their teaching methods often left me more confused than before.
Pre-Board Exams
Our school conducted three pre-board exams to prepare us for the finals. In the first pre-board exam, I failed math again, along with about 40 other students. The school’s decision to exclude all of us from the second pre-board exam added to my stress and isolation. It almost seemed like my world was going to pieces, with no help from teachers or friends.
Seeking Help
Desperate for a solution, my mother intervened and spoke with the school coordinator, questioning the fairness of their decision. Despite the lack of change, my mother continued to support me. She reached out to my cousin, a medical student abroad, who advised me to get reference books and previous years’ exam papers. I spent a considerable amount on these resources, hoping they would help bridge my knowledge gap.
Books I Read During My Preparation
During this period, I read numerous reference books, including R.D. Sharma for Mathematics, which was instrumental in helping me understand complex problems, and Lakhmir Singh’s Science books, which I found very helpful for Physics and Chemistry. I also used various guidebooks and solved previous years’ exam papers, which played a crucial role in my preparation.
Subjects I Liked and Hated
Liked: Science and English were my favorite subjects. I delighted in conducting tests and logics scientific concepts, and I found bliss in reading and writing essays.
Hated: Math was my least favorite subject. The struggle to grasp mathematical concepts was exacerbated by my illness and absence from school.
Final Exams
I took my board exams under challenging circumstances, still on medication and battling the stress and anxiety that had built up over the year. Despite everything, I managed to score 80% overall. This was a significant achievement, considering the hurdles I faced. I scored well in my favourite subjects, like Science and English, while my math score, though not outstanding, was much better than I had expected.
Aftermath
After two years, the impression of that hard year stay clear. I'm currently in the eleventh class, studying in the PCM (physics, chemistry, and maths) subject at the same school. The experience has left me with little respect for the teachers and coordinators who failed to support me. I've gain a better understanding about who deserves my assistance and support as well. While the incident was traumatizing, it also made me tough and more strong, thanks to the unwavering support of my parents.
Conclusion
The 2022-23 school year was a challenging journey through the SSC board curriculum, marked by both triumphs and trials. It showed me important lessons about the trust, support, and strength of classmates and teachers. Despite the difficulties, I emerged stronger, with a clearer understanding of who and what truly matters in the pursuit of success.