Postponing of examinations has become a regular feature. Each year, after the declaration of the datesheet students start cribbing. And one of their major complaints is that they have not been provided with enough preparation time and that the syllabus has still not been covered. Another cause for discontentment is that there is not sufficient time between the examinations. They advance such run-of-the-mill arguments to effect postponement every year. But this year, they have a much better excuse as the teachers were on a long strike.Students being non-serious about college lecturers, give benefit to teachers who start coaching classes and pay less attention in the college. Since coaching classes are not affected by these strikes, the real sufferers are the students who cannot attend coaching classes as they cannot afford them.The students should realise that postponement of examinations will not be beneficial in the long run. If the exams are held on time only then can the result be declared on time. This has not been happening since the past many years. Last year, the result of BA-I was declared as late as September. Late result of first year can be ignored but such a delay for final year can lead to a loss of one whole year especially for those desirous of seeking admission in other universities. Postponement even breaks one's rhythm and dips the enthusiasm and concentration.There are students who take entrance tests for professional courses. They have to prepare for those exams apart from completing their college syllabus. But uncertainty in the college exam dates can lead to indecisiveness. They fail to decide which exam to prepare for. Moreover, postponement of exams may clash with an entrance test for other universities or professional courses and as a result a crucial year may be lost.Putting off exams under compelling circumstances can be thought of but it should not be practiced annually. Examination postponement being a popular issue, the students organisation in universities and colleges gain popularity by challenging the authorities. Such agitation helps leaders of these organisations to portray themselves as activists. But instead of wasting time in such agitations students should concentrate on their studies.We can overcome all these problems if the university forms a schedule in the beginning of the year and strictly adheres to it as is done by premier institutes. The schedule should be brought to the notice of the students and the teachers so as to avoid any controversy at a later stage.In real sense postponement of exams could be termed as career breaker for hardworking and career conscious students.The writer is a B.Com II student of Guru Gobind Singh College
