Page 163 - Failure to Triumph - Journey of A Student

My Target Service Selection Board (SSB)

Your Enemies at SSB: Fear and Expectation

When you reach the station while reporting for SSB, many of your hearts are thumping with fear,
expectations, anticipation. But let me tell you, fear and expectation are the two things which are sure
to bring your performance level down in SSB. Anticipation is okay, it is quiet natural to anticipate
something which you have never been through, but for the repeaters even anticipation should not be
there, as you have already been through that process once, so you know what all is awaiting.

Causes of fear in SSB:

Okay so let us see what all are the causes of fear when you go to SSB. In most cases it is the
anticipation which turns into fear, as there is a very thin line between the two. So let’s say you reach
the station, where you had to report. You see so many candidates, some with typical formal attire,
and beaming confidence on their face, some with excellent communication skills, some with flaunting
Fauji background and some with tons of knowledge. Now think yourself, how long does it take us to
know somebody completely? A day, a month, a year & sometimes a lifetime. It is very difficult to
judge somebody in just few hours of conversation or observation; why else do you think SSB keeps
you for 6 days? So instead of getting affected from the people in your surrounding and thinking that
they are superior just concentrate on yourself. Mentally revise what all you need to do in the
upcoming task.

I can surely write an entire article on what are the causes of fear in SSB! Okay, so wait for that one!
Causes of expectation:

You have been this all-rounder student in your school/college. Everybody appreciates that way you
sincerely carry out everything, be it studies or extra-curricular. You have been the leader, class
representative, captain. You have excelled in studies. You are an example for your siblings. Your
parents and teachers have high expectations from you, in turn you have high expectations out of
yourself. Chances are you have failed in SSB a few times. It is very obvious to have expectations,
but rather than giving time in expecting something, give that time to prepare.
A real life example:

A friend of mine, now a serving officer in the forces, told me his state of mind in his SSB. He went for
NDA Entry, just out of school. Got demoralized at the station it, seeing that many candidates were so
confident, all by themselves there, and he had his father with him. He had been told that SSB people
start observing you from the
station itself, and only those
who keep the luggage on the
bus are selected. He got further
demoralized when he saw that
forget about other people’s
luggage, he couldn’t even keep
his own luggage on the bus, as
somebody else already
snatched it and kept. Then he
lost all hope, he said that there
was no fear left inside him after
that, and no expectations even.
He just thought to give his best
and didn’t think about the result.
And he got through.