[Points: Seed-time of life—education required: (a) noble aim, (b) character, (c) knowledge,—student life of old—now more complex—conclusion.]
The student life is said to be the seed-time of life. If we want good crops, the seeds have to be sown at the proper time. Similarly, he student life is the time to prepare oneself for the future. At this stage the mind is in a fluid state and can be moulded into any shape or desire. This is why the student life is the most important part of a man's life, and so much care is taken about giving proper education to students.
This education should comprise not only book-learning but also proper training of the mind and heart, and building up of character. There are a few general principles to be followed to produce the desired results,
The first thing necessary is to fix upon a noble aim. Students should bear in mind that man is born with the spirit of God in him. So it is his duty to be true to this Divine spirit, to live and die noble. The most important thing for this is character-"the crown and glory of life." To build it up students should live a strictly disciplined life and never indulge in wicked thoughts.
The next thing in importance is aquisition of knowledge, which is the secret of success. Students should study hard to acquire as much knowledge as possible; otherwise they will feel quite helpless in the struggle of life.
In olden times a pupil usually lived in the house of his teacher.
The strict discipline of this life, away from all evil influences helped his all-round training. But the majority of students now live in society, bound up with the complex forces of the modern world. They have, therefore, to be more alert than their predecessors They have to serve not only themselves but also their society and country and for this they must acquire knowledge, and develop a generous spirit and general goodness of heart. In this way alone will they be true to themselves.
But they must not dabble in active politics which is responsible for most of the ills of them nowadays. The student life is the time of preparation for struggle ahead-not the time for actual struggle.
A student who follows these general principles is sure to make his mark in life.
