Common Questions for Led

1. My daughter is gifted and the school wants her to skip 2 grades in high school. I am worried about her being with students so much older than her.

What would be best for her?

I was one of those gifted kids. My mother was offered the chance when I was six years old to have me privately taught by a local college professor.

He wanted to take me on as his only student. My mother wanted me to be u201cnormalu201d. No one asked what I wanted.

Before starting school, I said my first word at three months old. I was speaking in sentences at six months. I was reading by the age of two.

I was obsessed with learning and reading. At five, I was in a private kindergarten program. By the end of that year I was reading the story time to the other kids while the teacher took a break to prepare other materials.

When I started first grade, the public school I went to insisted that because Iu2019d been in a private kindergarten program, that I had to be put in remedial classes. I came home from school sobbing the first day because I hated school, and all they did was give me u201cbaby worku201d. This was about the time my mother received the offer from the professor the first time.

Heu2019d heard about me from my pediatrician and thought it was an interesting case. My mother said no because she wanted me to be u201cnormalu201d. She thought I was a weird kid (and admittedly, I was), and she wanted me to be around other kids so I could learn social skills.

The way the public school system went, if I was in remedial classes in first grade, then I was put in remedial classes in second grade. If I was in remedial classes in second grade, then I was put in remedial classes in third grade. This was the pattern all the way through high school.

Meanwhile, in first grade, I tested at a third grade level. In second grade, I tested at a sixth grade level, and when they gave me the Wechsler IQ test, I scored with an IQ of around 164. On that particular test, anything above 130 is considered to be gifted.

In the third grade, I tested at a ninth grade level. Students were allowed to test for the gifted program at my school in third grade. I was not allowed to take the test because I was still in those remedial classes.

In fourth grade, I tested at a level referred to as u201cpost high schoolu201d, and the counselor that gave me the test told my mother, u201cThereu2019s nothing else we can teach her that she canu2019t learn on her own at this point. Really, school isnu2019t going to be anything more than a babysitter from here on out.u201d I was finally allowed into the gifted program despite still being in the remedial classes, and absolutely adored it.

My favorite part was the logic problems weu2019d get to do every week. In fifth grade, they no longer gave me the tests to check my level, because Iu2019d maxed out the scores. I still took the regular standardized tests, and always scored near perfect.

Iu2019d made it through elementary school without unpacking my bookbag a single time, no studying, no homework, nothing but coasting through on test scores and classwork, and was still a straight A student. In middle school, I was sure I would get out of the low level classes, and into something more challenging. I was wrong.

The same happened in high school. By my freshman year in high school I was bored. I wanted nothing to do with any of it.

I was falling asleep through class and still passing my classes with Au2019s and Bu2019s if I put any effort into it at all. My sophomore year Iu2019d stopped putting in effort and was still bringing home Cu2019s. I graduated high school with around a 2.

4 GPA because Iu2019d lost the will to care years before.If you have an opportunity for your child to advance, take it. No one will blame you if the child doesnu2019t enjoy it and you take her back down from grade level, but I didnu2019t find out about the opportunity I was offered until I was in my 20s.

My mother was moving things around and found my baby book. Inside it were the letter from the college professor, my test scores, my Wechsler score. All this evidence of the chances I could have had if sheu2019d just said yes.

I asked her why she said no, and her answer was u201cYou were a weird kid, I wanted you to be normal.u201d Guess what, Iu2019m still weird (and quite happy that way), and my entire educational career was a miserable experience of me trying to prove myself over and over and getting shut down. I still havenu2019t forgiven my mother for a decision she made 33 years ago, and I donu2019t know that Iu2019ll ever be able to

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2.

What's the biggest mistake committed by a CA final student?

Well, I am going to answer this question in terms of the the mistakes we commit and the possible solutions/tips/suggestions to make the most use of the resources available to us. (Its going to be a long one, please bear with me)Firstly.

One important phrase that kept me going through those 3 long years was : This too shall pass. Believe it or not, you need this. I am going to cover this answer in terms of things to be kept in mind during articelship plus the study period.

A lot of us after clearing the second level and getting a job, get this weird level of pride and head weight that we are CAs and its all done. My dear, your journey hasnt even begun. One of the important things is to STAY GROUNDED, throughout your life.

If you cant consciously do that, let your family and friends be the constant reminder for that.Plan, plan and plan. These three years of your life are by far going to be the ones that are going to shape your future.

Plan it really well. In terms of classes, work schedule, managing your UG studies side by side. Have a rough plan of what you should be doing ahead, Helps you stay on track.

Learning to prioritize between work and studies at the right time. Ill be honest, I was a workaholic. A big one.

Firstly I loved my work and secondly, I would just stay back really late in office to be with my seniors and learn and deliver extremely well everyday. This is fine as long as you are on track with managing things well and I lacked it. First two years its probably fine to devote time to work as much but after that remember - your final goal is to be a CA.

Dont get carried away.Learn to say NO. This you need to develop at an early age and at the right time so that people at work dont misuse or exploit you because you are committed or dedicated.

Also, in terms of your social gatherings and other recreational stuff. I am not saying cut yourself off from everything but you are the better judge of what needs to be done when.Its not enough to attend classes.

YOU NEED TO REVISE EVERY DAMN DAY. Finals has 8 subjects with each subject being voluminous ^ infinity. Stay in touch with this side of yours.

Otherwise, those 45 months are going to be a nightmare.Never give up. Dont lose hope.

Stay determined, focused and sane. There are going to be so many days when you are going to feel so demotivated and low because - the pressure is going to be insane, juggling between work and classes, dealing with seniors, not getting the weekends to yourself and so many more reasons. But, these hard circumstances will make you stronger each and every day.

You will fall in love with yourself when you are past through all this because you survived it and came out with flying colours.Keep doing things when you get time to feel alive. Like following your hobbies or passion, so that you are in touch with yourself and you dont burn out often.

Keep talking to your seniors at work. Theyll be in a great position to guide you because theyve been through it. Listen to all of them and strategise your preparation according to what suits you best.

Watch a lot of videos, blogs on youtube, quora and other webisites where the toppers have shared their plan. Educate yourself and be aware in terms of what you are getting into. Planning is the key to clear.

For tips in terms of preparation for the study period, refer to this link - Arushi Kapila's answer to How do I prepare for the CA final (old syllabus)?Remember, its going to be hard. Extremely hard.

But, its a part of the process. You need to push yourself each and every day and motivate yourself. The end result is going to be worth it.

Heres a snap that I took in between my study leave where I was so frustrated seeing my books each day and being locked up at home. At times, I see such pictures and take pride in the fact that I lived through it all and it helps me keep in check that I dont get carried away with anything that I achieve later on.Please reach out to me for any other help.

All the best :)Edit : First answer to receive 100 upvotes and over 10k views! So grateful for the response :) Will continue doing what I do. Thank you!