Finding direction in a world of knowledge

Today, knowledge is available almost everywhere. For students, this has opened up possibilities that previous generations did not have in the same way. “So, if a student is interested in research, mathematics, AI, or any related field, I would advise them to explore as much as possible. They should browse the internet, watch good YouTube channels, and look for things that genuinely interest them,” Abhinandan Mohanty, an alumnus of Apeejay School, Kharghar, who is all set to pursue a PhD in AI at IIT Delhi.

But access to knowledge is only the first step. The most important thing is to find your interests and understand what you would like to do in the future, he added. In a world where many fields sound exciting from the outside, students need to spend time discovering what truly holds their attention. It is not enough to choose a subject because it is popular or because others are pursuing it.

“A student should ask themselves whether, even on a bad day, they would be able to get up and devote five or six hours to their work. Developing that kind of discipline is very important,” he shared. Interest may begin with curiosity, but it grows only when it is supported by consistency.

It is also important to be honest with yourself in whatever you do. Students should recognise both their strengths and their gaps, and work steadily on improving themselves.

“For students who want to pursue research, engineering, AI, or any related field, a strong grasp of mathematics is essential. Mathematics is intrinsic to many subjects, and having a good foundation in it can help students in almost any field,” he opined.

The future belongs not only to those who have access to knowledge but to those who know how to explore it with honesty, discipline, and purpose.