Results

However beautiful the strategy is, you should occasionally look at the results. —Winston Churchill

We all have come across the term ‘result’ many times in our life. So, the question that arises here is, what is the result? How do we define it? When we say the word ‘result’, one thing that comes to our mind is ‘outcome’. The word “result” means ‘to proceed’, ‘to spring up or rise’, ‘as a consequence’, ‘from facts’, ‘arguments’, ‘premises’, ‘combination of circumstances’, ‘consultation’, ‘thought’, or ‘endeavor’. Let’s say, when we sow a seed, we wait for the result day, i.e. the seed to grow into the tree and finally give us the fruit. So, in layman’s terms, a result means something that happens as a consequence of some action. For instance, If I forget to book a room in advance, it will result in me not getting a room in my preferred hotel.

Etymology: The word ‘result’ was recorded since 1432 and has originated from medieval Latin resultare ‘to result’, earlier in the sense ‘spring back’, from resulto, in Classical "to spring forward, rebound", from re- (expressing intensive force) + saltare (frequentative of salire ‘to jump’). The noun dates from the early 17th century. Let's see the various meanings of this term: • In general, the result is the outcome of any kind of research, action, or phenomenon. For example, Damage that resulted from an earthquake or the result of one’s practical joke is water on the floor and a lump on your sibling's head where the bucket hit him. • In sports such as cricket or football, the result is the final score in a game. • In an examination, our results are the marks or grades that we get for exams we have taken. For example, Her exam results were excellent.
• In wars, the result includes the identity of the victorious party and possibly the effects on the environment. • In research, the result is the section where we report the findings of our study based upon the methodology or methodologies that we applied to gather information. • In mathematics, the result is the final value of any calculation. For example, the result of the mathematical operation 2(4 + 4) is 16. The result we get for a math problem will be wrong if we subtract when we should add. • In computer sciences, the result is the return value of a function, state of a system, or list of records matching a query (e.g. web search). The result type is the data type of the data returned by a function. • In statistics, the result is any information analyzed, extracted, or estimated from polls or tests, • In science, the result is the outcome/conclusion of an experiment or a scientific theory. • In forensics and justice, the result is the proof of whether the suspect is guilty or innocent after evaluating evidence in a criminal investigation • In economics and accounting, the result is profit or loss from financial affairs. A result is also the solution to some problems. So, all in all, we came across different meanings of the same word when used at different places. But here we are going to talk about the results in our education system. When we talk about the Education System in India, we come across the term ‘result’. In the traditional system of education, the main aim of the course and curriculum has been to score good marks in the examination, meaning the overall emphasis was given to the result. Today, not much has changed. Results hold a very important place in our education system. We often hear our parents say to us that our results should be better because it is going to decide our future and career path at the end of the day. The result is the indicator of our future success. There is a direct correlation between our future success and our performance or result in our schools as well as our college. Many research shows that exam results are indicative of one’s success, or failure, in their professional career as well. The result is also important because it establishes whether the learning objectives in a course or curriculum are being met. Well, keeping in mind all its positive aspects, we cannot erase the fact that result has also been one of the major hindrances to true education due to its exaggerated emphasis by our parents and teachers. Instead of ‘education’ we often get a vast system of rote learning which is the opposite of true mental development. The word ‘result’ in itself has a taboo attached because from our very childhood, it has had a psychological fear engraved in us. This especially happens if our results are going to determine whether we will be able to get into our favorite college or university or enter our chosen career path. I'm sure all of us know the feeling of anticipation when we are about to take a test or write an exam. It is because we ultimately think about the result that it is going to produce. Getting to know the result is always a nightmare for most of us. Since the day we give our exam, the very thought of the eventful result day doesn't let us enjoy our vacations in peace because these thoughts are always present at the back of our mind. No matter how much we think that the exams went well, it’s pretty natural to feel on edge as the results day approaches. We all have obtained our exam results, some of us may want to find out more about how we've been marked, and the comments made about us and our exam paper. We may even want to appeal against a mark we've been given. The arrival of the result season brings along our anxieties. Whether one has appeared for the exams themselves or is just witnessing another person waiting eagerly for the result. Waiting for exam results can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially when we are expecting results from exams like the National level or State level exams. The night before exam results day is bound to be tense. It is a day on which we are judged and awarded according to our performance in exams, a day that can be of pride for the parents of meritorious students, and a day of disappointment for parents whose children did not perform as per their expectations in the exams. As the results are declared, we often come across various kinds of students. Some score well and are satisfied with their result, whereas some score well yet they aren’t satisfied. Some students don't score well and sink into sadness, partly by self-guilt, and partly by comparisons with other ‘good-scorers’. A lot of national-level exams such as Board exams, NEET, JEE, UPSC, SSC, RRB, Banking, etc. are conducted in India for the government as well as private institutes and all of them give entry to that institution based on the result. So, the result is considered to be the parameter. Concludingly, we can say that results are something that we aim for and something we respond to. When we say ‘Results do not matter', that won’t be fair to those students who perform well. Results do matter, but not in the way we have been taught to think. It should not be the end of the process, it should merely be seen as a reflection of one’s journey so far and should reflect one’s improvement at setting goals, prioritizing, managing emotions, performing under pressure, and facing the results no matter what with an optimistic spirit. Thus, whatever the result might be, the things we learn while preparing for and attempting an exam are forever going to help us. The dedication and hard work we did for this would reflect in every little thing we do in the coming future. As long as one is learning something from their journey, they are winners. The exam result, and all the hard work that went behind it, are just another step in our life.