Life is Not Compartmentalized—It Is a Complex Intersection of Interconnected Elements

 Life is Not Compartmentalized—It Is a Complex Intersection of Interconnected Elements

Over the years, many students have come to me with a sense of anxiety, wondering which academic path they should pursue. Should they study science or the arts? Law or social sciences? Language or philosophy? These choices often feel overwhelming, as if one decision will define their entire future.

But part of this confusion stems from the way our education system is structured. It encourages students to think in rigid categories—as if life itself can be neatly divided into subjects, disciplines, or career tracks. This is not how the world works. Life is not compartmentalized; rather, it is a rich, dynamic intersection of various elements. It is inherently interdisciplinary.

In reality, the decisions we make every day draw upon a broad array of skills, knowledge, and emotional intelligence. Take something as simple as purchasing an item. It’s not just a matter of price. One must also consider quality, need, sustainability, utility, brand ethics, and personal values. Even a small act like shopping involves economic understanding, critical thinking, and even a bit of psychology.

Scientific discoveries themselves often reflect this complexity. When Einstein formulated the theory of relativity or when Newton identified the force of gravity, they weren’t working within narrow silos. They were uncovering truths that impact physics, time, space, human understanding, and even philosophy.

Professionals in various fields also experience this. A lawyer, for instance, doesn't just interpret legal codes. When dealing with a client's case—especially in areas like family law—they must navigate emotional turmoil, social dynamics, psychological stress, and ethical considerations, all while applying legal reasoning. It’s not just law; it’s human life, in all its complexity.

I recall my time as a social worker in the field, where I visited communities and met people with diverse concerns. One person might need help applying for a ration card. Another might be coping with a sick child. A woman may be facing domestic violence or workplace discrimination. These issues aren't isolated—they are intertwined. Addressing them effectively requires drawing upon knowledge from public policy, healthcare, gender studies, psychology, law, and more.

So, my advice to students is simple: don’t get caught up in the illusion that life or learning can be cleanly categorized. Instead, follow your curiosity. Choose the subject that genuinely excites you. But more importantly, learn to connect it to the world around you. Whether you're passionate about physics, painting, or philosophy, your discipline will gain depth and meaning when you see how it interacts with other fields—and with real life.

In the end, success and fulfillment often come not from choosing the "right" subject, but from developing the ability to think broadly, act empathetically, and respond intelligently to the complexity of life.

A Life Warrior

 

A Life Warrior

Not long ago, a book titled Exam Warrior gained widespread attention. I haven’t read it, but the title alone suggests that it's intended to guide school and college students on how to excel in examinations — how to score high marks, overcome test anxiety, and perform well academically. No doubt, such guidance can be useful during one phase of life. But my own experiences have taught me a very different lesson: life is not an exam — it is far more complex, unpredictable, and demanding.

Unlike academic tests, life does not give you a syllabus. There is no fixed pattern to follow, no past papers to solve, and no single correct answer. The challenges we face in life are often unexpected and don’t come with instructions. They test not only our knowledge but also our resilience, emotional strength, adaptability, and character. And unlike exams, which have a scheduled start and finish, the tests that life throws at us can emerge at any moment — sometimes without warning.

That’s why I believe we need more than just exam warriors; we need life warriors.

A life warrior is not someone who merely excels in academics or performs well in a job interview. A life warrior is someone who learns to cope with failure, who keeps going after a loss, who adapts to change, who stands up again after being knocked down — someone who, above all, refuses to give up.

In school, we are taught to memorize answers. But life demands that we learn how to ask better questions — and how to live with uncertainty. In college, we’re graded on individual performance. But in life, success often depends on teamwork, relationships, empathy, and communication — things that rarely show up on a report card.

Our education system tends to emphasize academic performance as a measure of a person’s worth. But the real world doesn't operate that way. Some people top exams but struggle to find happiness. Others may not have earned high marks, but they go on to lead impactful, fulfilling lives. Why? Because they’ve learned how to face the tests of life — not just the tests of school.

So while exam skills may help you get a degree or land a job, life skills help you live. Skills like critical thinking, emotional intelligence, time management, self-discipline, patience, and resilience — these are what shape a life warrior.

It’s time we broaden the definition of success. Let’s not raise a generation of children who believe their worth is tied only to grades or ranks. Let’s encourage them to dream, to question, to explore, to fail, and to rise again — to become not just exam warriors, but true life warriors.