|
Dear
Mita,
I am a 17-year-old boy studying in a reputed English medium
school in Dhaka. Ever since I was a child, I stammer. No
one in my family stammers except, occasionally, my elder
brother who stammers while uttering some words. My case
is worse. I constantly get stuck and find myself in embarrassing
situations. Because of this, my self-esteem has taken a
serious battering. I don't have the confidence to speak
out freely because I know that I will get stuck somewhere.
Please advise me on what I can do to cure my problem. I
know this might not be your field but I am hoping you can
suggest something. I'd also like to know whether speech
therapy is available here.
--Depressed
Dear
Depressed,
Certainly speech therapy is available; you should contact
doctors who deal with patients of stroke, paralysis, etc.
However, that is not the only solution. You will have to
build up your self-esteem in other ways also. For example,
try to excel in other fields such as sports, academia etc.
Develop good, stable and meaningful relationships with people.
All this will give you self-confidence and will automatically
raise your esteem. Stammering is as much a physical problem
as it is psychological. It can be effectively treated with
a combination of professional therapy and a sympathetic
environment.
Dear
Mita,
I am a 21-year-old student at a university in Chittagong.
Last year, a teacher proposed to me. At first, I rejected
him, but a few months later accepted his proposal. We also
became physically involved. A few months ago, I learnt that
I was pregnant. He is pressuring me to destroy the child.
But how is this possible for me as a woman? What is your
opinion?-Stuck
Dear
Stuck,
My opinion is that you have become involved with an irresponsible
person. The decision regarding the child has to be taken
by both of you after considering all the implications such
as your health, your family situation, etc. Realistically,
society will blame you for everything and he will go free.
Please make sure that this does not happen. Both of you
must bear the consequences of your actions as any step that
you now take will have a serious bearing on your future.
You must also take advice from your
Dear
Mita,
I am an engineering student and serious about my studies.
I attend classes and study regularly. But I can never concentrate
before my exams. I feel that I am well-prepared and need
only a glance at the material to refresh my memory. I go
about doing other things before the exam. But the night
before, I feel like I have forgotten everything and need
to start studying from the beginning and end up doing badly
in the exams. What should I do to be able to concentrate
on my studies at those crucial times?
--Dunce
Dear
Student, (I do not want to call you a
dunce!)
Some people who are very bright have the same problem. However,
it is very important to realise that doing well in exams
is not only about how bright and intelligent you are, but
also about how well you can convey the information that
you have absorbed. This is about process and most importantly
hard work. There is no substitute for hard work or slogging.
You will have to be motivated enough to study before your
exams, otherwise no matter how brilliant you may be, you
will not succeed. I cannot give you a formula for concentrating
but I will tell you that all your brilliant intelligence
will not be recognised if you cannot show this translated
in numbers.
|