Love What You Learn
"You see them, talk about them, and care about them deeply. Just do the same with your studies. Build that connection."
It was lunchtime at school. The chatter of students from everywhere echoed off the colorful walls of the classroom, adorned with posters of historical figures and science diagrams. After eating, Murali settled in his seat and carefully sketched diagrams of plant cells. His pencil scratched softly as he labeled chloroplasts and mitochondria, preparing for the first period after lunch. Then his friend Saurabh bounded over, his school uniform slightly rumpled from a quick game of football in the playground, a bead of sweat still on his forehead. Standing in front of Murali with a grin, Saurabh peered at the chart and asked:
"Murali, how do you always score full marks in biology? I can't even imagine it! Last test, I barely scraped a pass."
"Why not, buddy? Biology is a fascinating and easy subject," Murali replied.
"I don't think so," Saurabh said, slumping his shoulders dramatically, his voice laced with frustration.
"Why?"
"There's just so much to study! Diagrams, processes, Latin names—it's overwhelming."
"All subjects have a lot to learn," Murali countered gently, gesturing toward the courtyard outside. "But in biology, you can see most of what you study right around you in real life. Take photosynthesis, for example... just look at those plants out there! The way the sunlight hits the leaves, turning carbon dioxide and water into food—it's happening right now, keeping the whole tree alive and growing. Imagine if we could do that!"
Saurabh leaned closer to the window, his eyes widened as he watched a butterfly flutter from one flowering hibiscus to another in the garden outside. "Huh, I guess you're right. But how do I make it stick in my head?"
"Let me ask you something," Murali continued, his tone warm and enthusiastic, like a big brother sharing a secret.
"What?" Saurabh asked curiously, turning back with a spark of interest.
"How many relatives do you know by name?"
"Probably more than fifty—uncles, aunts, cousins from both sides of the family."
"How do you remember all those names without mixing them up?"
"Because I see them often at weddings and festivals, or hear stories about them during family dinners. Plus, I love them. How could I forget Uncle Raj who always brings sweets, or Aunt Priya who tells the best jokes?"
"That's my point, buddy!" Murali exclaimed, clapping Saurabh lightly on the back "You see them, talk about them, and care about them deeply. Just do the same with your studies. Build that connection."
"What do you mean exactly?" Saurabh tilted his head, genuinely intrigued now.
"Observe all the living things around you—those plants in the courtyard, the stray dogs playing near the gate, even your own body breathing and moving. Like them, learn about them with curiosity, and think about how that knowledge can help you and others in the future. Want to be a doctor someday? Understanding cells could save lives. Or a farmer? Knowing soil microbes could grow better crops. Approach it that way, and biology becomes simple, fun, and something you actually look forward to."
Saurabh nodded slowly, a thoughtful smile creeping onto his face as he glanced again at the vibrant garden, where students' laughter mingled with the rustle of leaves. "Hmm... that sounds like a smart idea. I'll try it—starting with watching the ants marching in a line by the kitchen back at home. See if it works for me." Both of them laughed.
"It will, I'm sure," Murali said confidently, giving his friend a fist bump that assured mutual support. Just then, the school bell rang sharply from the tower, its metallic chime cutting through their classroom, signaling the start of afternoon classes.
***
Life-Skills Introduced in This Chapter
Relating Learning to Real Life: Connecting school subjects like biology to everyday observations—such as plants in the school courtyard or insects during breaks—to make studying more engaging, memorable, and grounded in the world around us.
Developing a Positive Attitude Toward Learning: Viewing subjects as interesting and useful by focusing on their practical value, like linking biology to future careers or daily wonders, and fostering a genuine love for the topic through personal relevance.
Memory Through Connection and Affection: Remembering information more effectively by forming emotional ties and associations, much like recalling family names through love, frequent interactions, and shared stories.
Encouraging Peers: Sharing helpful study tips with friends in a supportive, enthusiastic way—through smiles, gestures like fist bumps, and relatable examples—to motivate them, strengthen friendships, and create a collaborative learning environment.
Curiosity and Experimentation: Trying new approaches to learning, such as actively observing nature in familiar surroundings like the school garden or playground, to discover what works best personally and spark ongoing exploration.
