This is a real-life story. I have narrated some personal stories in the blog about the challenges I had faced in the workplace. (You can read these popular posts here: 1, 2). But the one I am going to narrate today is an anecdote from my years as an engineering student.
This story resurfaced in my memory only recently since I hardly think back to my college years. As I was narrating this incident of my life to my students in a classroom session, I realized that this is a good piece for my blog. So, before I start, let me offer my thanks to one of my favourite students Gurman Kaur who wrote the first draft of it based on my telephonic narration to her! I want to take this opportunity to appreciate the good work done by Gurman.
Here’s how the story unfolds…
This is about the time I was a young, engineering student at Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, Kanpur — now transformed into a full-fledged university known as Harcourt Butler Technical University. Not to brag, but I was a good student — sharp, sincere, and dedicated. So, whenever exams were around the corner, it was an especially stressful time for me. I would want to do my best and put in all my energies towards the preparation.
As science students, we would conduct various experiments in the laboratory. There was a separate paper on chemistry practicals. On the day of the exam, we would be asked to conduct one particular experiment from all of the ones we had learned, and present our results. We were given all the chemicals and instruments required and had to conduct this individually (of course, without any assistance from the professor!) To add to the pressure, an external faculty would also be called to judge the results presented by us.
On the day of the practical exam, you could imagine how I was justifiably nervous. In my table at the lab, I could see that the task I was assigned was to conduct a potentiometric titration experiment and plot the graph based on readings I got during my experiment. I thought to myself: I got this!
But maybe it was too soon for me to feel confident. I conducted my experiment, recalling each step correctly and jotting down the results. After completion, I started plotting the readings on the graph paper, I soon realised I was not getting the standard shape of the curve. On the contrary, my readings were guiding me towards an absurd shape of the curve. My titration graph did not look like the ideal curve.
I was taken aback! I was anxious and started thinking about how to troubleshoot the problem. Did I make a serious mistake somewhere? I was sure that I hadn’t. Did I get the readings wrong? There was no way! So, why did my curve not conform to the norm?!
I felt backed into a corner. I thought to myself: What can I do now? I can’t redo the experiment. I am going to fail this subject if I don’t do well in the practicals. Should I mentally prepare myself that this exam is ruined? Should I fake my results? Should I just change the numbers slightly so it fits the expected graph? My mind was racing. I was thinking in circles. I had an ethical dilemma before me. Who cares if a student-researcher forges the numbers of a test? Is it a big deal? I was battling against myself.
In the end, I decided that I will write exactly what had happened instead of choosing to manipulate the results. If I must fail, then so be it. I cannot, in good conscience, change the numbers to fit a certain graph.
Almost resigning to my fate, I wrote down all the wrong readings, as absurd they might be. In the analysis section of the paper, I reasoned why the readings could have been wrong, what conditions could have led to it. I also mentioned in detail the possible mistakes I might have committed during the process of experimentation.
I left the laboratory feeling a bit down. But I knew in my heart, I wouldn’t have felt any better if I had forged the numbers either. So, I just promised myself that I will do better the next time I have to give this exam again.
Time went by and then came the Judgement day- Results!
Like I said, I was resigned to my fate and had almost expected to see an average score or even the red letter “F” in the score-chart. To my pleasant surprise, I saw a score of 92%! I gasped, How could it be?
I went to meet my chemistry professor immediately. I told him how I was not expecting the result at all since my titration graph was not the “correct answer” that I should have gotten after my experiments. So how could I score A-grade marks?!
My professor not only congratulated me on my 92% score but also told me that the external examiner was really impressed and had praised my integrity. To be precise, the examiner’s words were, “A real experimenter is not somebody who worries about what the outcome might be, but rather shifts their focus towards the “Why” of the outcome. It’s not about whether you’re getting the right or wrong results, but about whether you’re able to analyse the result and arrive at the truth of the matter.”
I was really happy after hearing my professor’s words. I was glad that my integrity was appreciated. The essence of a true researcher lies in their intellectual honesty. What an important lesson to learn!
This incident made me realise a few important things: As a student, as long as your fundamentals have firm roots and you work righteously towards learning and growing, there’s not a single wind that can uproot you. Your goal shouldn’t be to manipulate the answers to make them sound “right” but to understand and critically reason about the “Why” and the “How” of the subject. In the end, exams are also a test of character, and you are competing not with other students, but yourself.
Sir,All your blog’s are inspiring. Thanks for sharing your experience