Kolkata schools have produced six out of 18 first-rank-holders from West Bengal in ISC 2022. The Class XII board exam results were declared on Sunday.
My Kolkata caught up with three of the top students — Pratiti Majumder, Shaili Kar and Baidurya Bose — from the city to know their preparations, hobbies and future goals.
No alternative to self-study
A student of Salt Lake School, Pratiti has scored 99.7 per cent in the ISC exams. She says she did not follow a strict routine. “I can’t bind myself to a strict schedule. That’s why I used to study for five to six hours a day. I woke up every morning and then set a target for myself. That’s it,” she said.
Almost echoing the same words, Shaili Kar, who is a student of Vivekananda Mission School, said she had dedicated at least five to six hours daily to self-study. She has scored 99.5 per cent in the board exams.
Baidurya, a student of Future Foundation School, said he had studied for six to seven hours before the exams. He, too, has scored 99.5 per cent in the exams.
Hobbies and more
An avid reader, Pratiti’s favourite author is Khalid Hosseini. She also tries her hand at writing for various journals and newspapers.
A versatile talent, Pratiti has been learning Bharatanatyam for the last 15 years at the music school Banichakra. “There is a lot of free time now. Apart from drawing, stitching and reading books, I have started going to my dance classes thrice a week after the exams. I am going to appear for my fifth-year dance exams this year,” she said.
Baidurya is a swimmer and a violinist. He loves reading detective fiction and playing cricket and football. “I love playing cricket and football with my friends. I am a Chelsea supporter. My favourite players are Virat Kohli and Ronaldo,” the teenager said.
However, Shaili stopped going to singing and Kathak classes after her Class X exams. “But I practise every day at home. I am also thinking of resuming my dance now,” she said.
What lies ahead
A Humanities student, Pratiti’s favourite subjects are History and English. She wants to join academia as a teacher. “When I was in Class XI, my teachers told me I could be a good professor. They told me that I can explain complex concepts in simple terms. Now I am keen on choosing either History or English for my bachelor’s studies. Later, I would like to enrol in a PhD programme,” she said.
Shaili, a student of Science stream, loves Physics. “I plan to apply to Jadavpur University, Presidency University and St. Xavier’s University for bachelor’s studies. Both my parents love Physics and I inherited my love for the subject from them,” she said.
Another one from Science stream, Baidurya has already appeared for NEET and is awaiting the results. “I have always wanted to take the medical profession. When I was a kid, I used to play with the stethoscope at the doctor’s clinic. Now I want to do something for people and what is greater than saving lives?” he said.