One of the most important life lessons is not learned from a textbook but through experiences. Whether it was heading NCC, participating in NSS activities, playing sports, or handling nutrition programs, I acquired skills that no lecture could impart. These experiences formed my personality, taught me leadership, and turned me into a problem-solver.
But en route, something caught my attention: conventional learning rarely equips us to solve everyday problems. There is always a disconnect between the lessons that we learn inside the classroom and the things we truly need in order to win in life. And that’s when the solution occurred to me—what if formal but flexible learning programs may help close such gaps?
The Inspiration Behind My Research
My greatest source of inspiration was sports. Athletes, while in training, do not simply receive instructions; they learn from doing, learn from each other, and through practicing. I thought to myself that this could apply to everything. Non-formal education, done well, is able to equip individuals with skill, improve self-confidence, and open up potential beyond schooling. This realization served as the beginning of my study.
How My SIP at Dream Girl Foundation Shaped My Research
My Summer Internship at Dream Girl Foundation was a wake-up call. Working directly with disadvantaged children, I witnessed firsthand how conventional teaching never quite succeeded in keeping students interested. Theory wasn’t enough to read—what actually made the difference were participative learning techniques, narratives, and practical exercises.
A lesson that stuck in my mind was teaching fundamental financial literacy. Rather than solely describe concepts, I made it a role-playing activity—they operated an imaginary shop, monitored expenses, and saved money. The outcomes were incredible. They grasped concepts rapidly and, more importantly, enjoyed the experience.
This was an eye-opener for me. I could see how non-formal learning programs bring learning closer to reality, making it interesting and useful. It validated my conviction that learning must be more than the ability to pass exams—it has to be developing skills that make a person ready for life.
The Role of FIIB and the SPARK Mentorship Program
FIIB played a significant role in defining my research experience. It wasn’t research methods alone—learning to implement them so as to make a difference. Much of this development was through the SPARK Mentorship Program under Dr. Ranjit Kaur.
Dr. Kaur helped me not only with how to frame my research but also with how to make it interesting and effective. The most important advice she gave me was:
Your voice isn’t just about data; it should tell a story.
This totally transformed the way I worked. I began to include real-world case studies, observations from my SIP, and anecdotes from my NCC and NSS experience to make my research more practical and connected.
Another difficulty was giving a presentation in an online environment. Online presentations sometimes lack interaction, but with Dr. Kaur’s assistance, I practiced making my research more interactive by clear narration, strong images, and interactive features. It really made my presentation get noticed.
Overcoming Challenges in the Competition
The greatest challenge? Maintaining my audience’s interest in an online environment. In contrast to presentations made live, where presence and body language are used to make an impact, online presentations depend solely on your ability to communicate effectively on a screen. At first, I was having trouble making my presentation engaging, but my X Research Conference mentor, Dr. Shallu Batra, guided me on the best approach.
One significant change was reorganizing my presentation so that it would resonate with my audience immediately. Rather than merely reporting facts, I employed a Problem-Solution-Impact framework:
– Problem: The lack of conventional schooling and the necessity of skill-based learning.
– Solution: Case studies illustrating how non-formal learning is changing lives.
– Impact: Success stories from real life that attest to the success of alternative learning.
I also ensured I employed effective visuals, relevant examples, and interactive features such as questions that provoke thought. The outcome was an engaging, well-organized, and effective presentation that captivated the panel.
This lesson I learned that a research presentation is not merely a matter of what you present—it is a matter of how you present it. And that ability is one that I will continue to apply on my path forward.
How This Achievement Affects My Future Plans
Winning the X Research Conference is not a personal achievement—it’s a stepping stone to greater things. This experience has only fueled my passion for closing the gap between education and practical skills.
In the future, I plan to:
– Further investigate how non-formal learning can transform education and career preparedness.
– Create skill-based learning models that can be applied to educational and corporate training programs.
– Work with NGOs, teachers, and industry professionals to make education more experiential and effective.
Above all, this experience has solidified my conviction that learning isn’t about degrees—it’s about skills, flexibility, and practical application.
Conclusion
Winning this conference, particularly in an online environment, was a different challenge, but it was a challenge that proved one thing—excellent research is not all about numbers, it’s about influence.
I am extremely thankful to my mentors—Dr. Shallu Battra for mentoring me in the X Research Conference and Dr. Ranjeet Kaur of the SPARK Mentorship Program—for their ever-present support and guidance. This accomplishment is not solely mine, but a testament to the mentorship and support team that helped me improve into a good researcher and problem-solver.
This is only the start. There is so much more to discover, and I am eager to keep going on this journey of research, learning, and making a difference.
Leave a comment