Centre for Social Psychology, Brindivan Gardens, Guntur

Dr.I.V.L.Narasimha Rao, Dr. Aravind Nutalapati, M.Sree Krishna,

Dr. Kota Srinivasu, M. Prakash, Dr. L.Mohan Bhaskar
aranut@gmail.com, krishna@vvit.net, 9490187628, 9866339336

A Hand Book for SemZero

Why is this happening?

Running between wickets in cricket from morning to evening for hours together is no
pain, but standing for half an hour as punishment is painful!

In a cricket match, while batting, when is not out at crease, a boy/ girl keeps running
between the wickets from morning to evening, yet feels no body pains, no tiredness,
no hunger, no impatience. It is because he/ she loves performing. So, when we love
work, doing it never tires us.

Ask the same boy to stand up for half an hour as punishment for coming late to college.
He complains of pains, tiredness, hunger and so on. He will be angry, impatient,
rebellious and so on. The reason is obvious - he does not like punishments.
So, what?

Young students are full of energies. Asking them not to do something without providing
alternative opportunities to do something else amounts to suppression of their
energies and so leads to friction and therefore is troublesome. Whereas encouraging
them to perform something constructive and productive will channelize their energies
and produce positive outcomes.
SemZero rolls out a few avenues for channelizing the energies of the youngsters.
What motivates a young person to learn something or do something?
Motivating factors include achievement, advancement, autonomy, personal growth,
recognition, responsibility, and the work itself. Motivation results from the interaction
of both conscious and unconscious factors such as
(1) intensity of desire or need,
(2) incentive or reward value of the goal, and

(3) expectations of the individual and of his or her peers. These factors are the reasons
one has for behaving a certain way. An example is a B.Tech student who spends extra
time preparing for a campus recruitment test because he or she wants to join a good
job after completing B.Tech.
Learning is to think.

These days, since parents and students and Educational Institutions are after marks
and ranks rote learning is taking place. There is no scope for thinking in this education
system of rote learning.

The following learning pyramid helps us in understanding what are good practices in
learning and in designing activities which are likely to go well with the learners.
We remember only 5% of what we listen from a lecture and 10% of what we learn by
reading. Whereas, we remember 75% of what we learn by doing something and 90%
by teaching the same subject to others.

So, top most priority is to be given to providing opportunities for students to involve
themselves in group discussions, practically doing something in labs or on the sport
and in teaching other students. What the students learn from these activities leave
long lasting impressions on young minds because they think.

The learning pyramid

Forming Student Groups and Organizing Group Activities

During SemZero the students are to be involved in several activities in groups. They
participate/ organise group activities to realise the importance of the following aspects
of life.

These activities, here onwards, are known as SAGE and shall be continued and made
lifelong learning activities.
(1). Socializing -

Meeting… (i) other new students, (ii) senior students, (iii) members of student clubs,
(iv) concerned faculty members, (v) other eminent people;
(2) Associating -

Visits to… (i) various departments / branches/ programs of study (ii) library (iii) play
ground (iv) canteen and such other facilities on the campus, local area,

And to nearby ..(i) hospital, (ii) orphanage, (iii) old age home, (iv) industries and
foundries, (v) current sub-stations, (vi) diary or poultry farms, (vii) city land marks,
(viii) historical sites (ix) very small and small businesses etc.,
(3) Governing -

Understanding and involving in (i) Management principles, (ii) Vision of the institution,
(iii) Mission of the institution (iv) Designing the uniform and implementation of dress
code (v) regulations of the institution, (vi) Organizing various events such as
workshops, seminars, cultural events, sports meets etc.,
(vii) NSS (viii) NCC (ix) Social service (x) student support activities etc.,
(4) Experiencing -
(i) Responsibility (ii) subject teaching and lectures, (iii) self-study skills, (iv) peer group
learning, (v) small-group activities, (vi) physical activity, (vii) creative and performing
arts, (viii) literary activities,
(ix) universal human values, etc.,

Care shall be taken that students from the same institution where they had earlier
studied Intermediate or plus II are in different groups. This helps them in building
bonds with new fellow students.

While organizing some activities students may ask for the reconstitution of their teams.
In such situations care shall be taken in balancing the teams' abilities.
# Activity - Preparation of Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Objectives
1. to help the students set their goals.
2. to help the students draw an action plan to reach their goals.
Individual Activity:

Each student prepares a Statement of Purpose (SOP) for joining a course of study.
He/she may consult a senior student and/or a staff member for information and for
help in preparing the SOP. The senior student and/or the staff member does not
interfere nor direct nor guide the student in any manner. They only give information
when sought by the student.
The language can be either English or one's mother tongue.
Inputs;
a. What do I want to achieve in my life?
1. My Long-term goal(s) is/are…
2. My Short term goal(s) is/ are…
3. My Immediate goal(s) is/are…
b. How does the course I joined help me in achieving my goals?
c. What are my strengths?
d. How should I invest my strengths in achieving my goals?
e. What are my weaknesses?
f. How can I overcome my weaknesses?
g. What shall I start doing from today to overcome my weaknesses?
h. Who are the people who can help me in this regard?
i. What are the resources on and off campus I can explore?
Outcomes
1. the student shall have set his/her goals - long-term, short-term and immediate.
2. the student shall have drawn an action plan to achieve the set goals.
3. the student shall have set a purpose and direction for self.
Follow up action
Friendly and supportive Semester wise reviews of performance may be held with
reference to the SOP.
# Activity - Presentation of Motivational Videos by Student Groups
Objectives
1. to inculcate the hobby of viewing motivational videos and content.
2. to encourage students to make presentations.
3. to inspire students to become motivators of their peers and others.
4. to learn to develop and / or interpret visual content.
Group Activity

Students are grouped according to their affinity. They discuss in groups and select
one video per group and display it to the entire class. While displaying the motivational
video each group interacts with all other groups together regarding the interpretation
and the message of the video.
The language can be either English or one's mother tongue.

Note: Students shall be asked to chose videos which inspire universal love or
brotherhood and not to chose controversial topics such as promoting religious hatred.

A faculty member and a senior student shall assist each group of students in choosing
a video. They shall see that a variety of videos covering various aspects of life are
chosen.

Themes such as simplicity, honesty, universal love, the beautify of nature and its ways,
value of team work, human relations, converting failures as stepping stones, not giving
up, nation building, the spirit of sacrifice etc., can be chosen.

Prizes : A Student Jury after consultation with a staff member discusses and decides
upon the best video and the best presentation.

1. the best video with reference to the message the video conveys, the art of
presentation of the content, the element of inspiration in the video.
2. the best group in interpretation and presentation of the content of the video.
Outcomes
1. students shall have been initiated into viewing motivational and useful videos.
2. students shall have been initiated into becoming motivators.
3. students shall have learnt to browse and select videos for their presentations.
4. students shall have learnt to interpret visual content and to articulate their ideas.
Follow up
This activity may be continued with subject orientation in various semesters.
# Activity - Learning Basics in Maths, Physics, Chemistry, and Reasoning
Objectives
1. to acquire knowledge in basics that are necessary to learn Engineering subjects.
2. to understand why knowledge of basics necessary - its uses and applications.
3. to build confidence about the ability to learn Engineering subjects.
4. to make students understand the advantages of peer group learning.

Procedure - The faculty members prepare the materials in various subjects necessary
to study Engineering subjects and suggest sources of references both offline and
online for further understanding and study of a subject. The materials also briefly
mention the uses and application of these basics.

The sources of references include books, journals, particular pages in reference

books, videos which explain the particular topics etc., These materials are made
available to the students.
Note: Only very important and critical topics are to be included for this activity.
Group Activity

Students are grouped according to their affinity. The groups are given choice to
choose topics of their interest. They discuss the materials in groups, first make
presentations within the groups in the presence of the staff. The staff give necessary
inputs and train them in explaining the topics. Each group explains their chosen topics
to the entire class using the board, projector, videos, charts etc.,

After the presentations of each topic by the student groups there will be question and
answer sessions. The groups that makes presentation will answer the questions from
other students. In case of any difficulty the staff will support them, but only at the end
of the question and answer session.
The language can be either English or one's own mother tongue during explanation.
Note;

Explanations of topics by the students may not be as effective as they will be by the
teaching faculty. Yet, the span and intensity of attention levels of the students during
peer group learning will be high. So, the faculty members shall allow the students to
explain the topics to the best of their ability and interfere only when necessary.
Thus, encouraging students to perform yields positive outcomes.
Outcomes
1. students taste the advantages of peer group learning.

2. topics of peer group talk and discussions shift from junk such as cricket and/ or
cinema to those of useful subjects.
3. confidence in ability to learn further improves.
4. improves the habit of self-learning.

5. students familiarize themselves with referring to online and offline sources which
helps them in learning and understanding any subject.

# Activity - Tours, Industrial visits

Have we ever honoured a scavenger / a sweeper…in our family / social gatherings /
educational institutions? Why? Is there any work or profession that is low? If so, what
is it and why?

Have we ever listened to the personal life story of a successful industrialist or a

business person ? How did they spend their initial days of their venture? What are the
risks they faced?
Casual and planned visits shall be organised to gain first hand, on the spot and
practical experience with reference to (a) men and women (b) machine and technology
(c) different systems or organizations and their functionalities.
Visits shall include meeting and interacting with people from various walks of life -
sanitary workers, skilled labour, unskilled workers, vehicle drivers, farmers,
agricultural labour, traffic police, hawkers, vendors, self-employed men and women,
small and medium business owners, industrialists etc.,

While interacting with men and women students shall empathize with them. Empathy
means understanding the other person's physical, psychological and emotional
aspects of personality.
(i) how different people are interacting with others in maintaining social relations,

(ii) dignity of labour - how they would like their labour to be remunerative, appreciated
and honoured,
(iii) common man's heroic struggle for his/ her survival, the spirit of sacrifice of elderly
people who work hard to support their children and how some young people work hard
to support their parents,

(iv) small business owners and self-employed people who dedicate their lives to
withstand and survive the competition,

(v) industrialists who invest money, their resources and energies, what are risks they
are facing and how they think day and night to keep their industry viable etc.,
A model interaction with men and women
1. Namaste, how are you doing? (Find out the name and profession)
2. How is life / profession / the day?
3. What are the happy things about you?
4. What are the hardships you are facing?
5. Who are you working for?
6. How do you think we can live better?
7. What do you think is the future of your profession?
8. Is there anyone who helps you?
9. How is your health?
Visits can be organized to nearby ..(i) hospital, (ii) orphanage, (iii) old age home, (iv)
industries and foundries, (v) current sub-stations, (vi) diary or poultry farms, (vii) city
land marks, (viii) historical sites (ix) very small and small businesses, agricultural
fields, vehicle service centres, vehicle repair garages etc.,

(i) various departments / branches/ programs of study (ii) library (iii) play ground (iv)
canteen and such other facilities on the campus, local area,
Students shall be given a questionnaire with a few open ended and a few close ended
questions to be answered after returning from a tour or an industrial visit.
The objectives and the outcomes shall be defined when a tour or an industrial visit is
planned. The questionnaire is to be given before the start of the tour or visit.
Students may not limit their experience with answering the questionnaire. They may
add to what they have experienced.
# Activity. Cultural activities- to promote positive attitude, team spirit, social
work and so on and Art forms with satire to expose human follies

# Activity - Social Skills

Group Activity
Students discuss in groups and share their ideas with the entire class.
01. When I meet someone is it good to greet or keep silence? Why? How do I feel
when someone greets me? How does someone feel when I greet him/her?
02. What is the difference between arguing and sharing ideas in our interactions
with others? Which is better - arguing or sharing? Why?
03. Why is it that our happiness multiplies and sorrow diminishes by sharing them
with others?
04. How do I keep friendship strong - by finding faults with others or by appreciating
the strengths in others?
05. Which is better - whether to help others or get help from others?
06. How do I win acceptance of others - by showing off my greatness or by
accepting them with their deficiencies? Why?
07. What's the difference between a crime and a mistake or wrong?
08. When others are wrong should I criticise them at once or tolerate for a while and
try to convince them with affection about their wrong at a right time?
09. Is excusing others my weakness and inability or my broadmindedness?
10. Why should I help my mom, dad and my brother and/or sister at home?
11. Should I be with people belonging to my caste or religion? Should I be with people
who work for a better society and a better nation?
12. Can I do all things myself? When can I get help from others - (i) by being friendly
with others or (ii) by showing my greatness and superiority to others?
13. Who is a true friend - (i) one who diverts from your goal or (ii) one who reminds
you about your goal when you are diverted?
14. Is it wrong to say 'No' to a friend when your friend is diverting you from your
reaching your goal?
Outcomes
1. students shall have realised the importance of sociability.
2. Students shall have understood the ills of gang fights.
3. Students shall have understood that games shall promote sportsmanship.
4. Students shall have realized that working for a better society and a better nation
will unite people and that caste and religious bigotry are divisive.
# Activity - Strengthening Oneself
01. Is it good to be alone always ? Or Is it good to be with friends? Why?
02. What is the difference between arguing and sharing ideas in our interactions
with others? Which is better - arguing or sharing? Why?
03. Why is it that our happiness multiplies and sorrow diminishes by sharing them with
others?
04. Which is better - whether to help others or get help from others? Why?
05. How do I win acceptance of others - by showing off my greatness or by accepting
them with their deficiencies and weaknesses? Why?
06. Is excusing others my weakness and inability or my broadmindedness?
07. What is good to me - (i) taking revenge and punishing others when others are
wrong or (ii) whole-heartedly excusing them and helping them? In which case do I
have peace of mind?
08. What's the difference between a performer and a follower? What should I be - a
performer or a follower?
09. Is it good to act under anger? If no, why?
10. How should I control my anger?
11. I know cell-phone and cinema and cricket and some online content is killing my
precious time. How can I keep my temptation under control?
12. What is sporting spirit? Should I lose hope if a match I have played is lost?
13. Can I do all things myself?
14. When can I get help from others - (i) by being friendly with others or (ii) by showing
my greatness and superiority to others?
15. Which is great - (i) looking rich or (ii) thinking big?
16. Do people in rich dress think big?
# Group Activity - Comprehension Passage to be read in groups and answered
in groups.
The four Hormones which determine a human's happiness
As I sat in the park after my morning walk my friend came and slumped next to me.
She had completed her 30 - minute jog. We chatted for a while. She said she is not
happy in life. I looked up at her in sheer disbelief since she seemed to have the best
of everything in life.
"Why do you think so?" I asked her.
"I don’t know. Everyone tells me I have everything needed, but I am not happy", she
said.
"Then I questioned myself, am I happy? No, was my inner voice reply".
Now, that is an eye-opener for me. I began my quest to understand the real cause of
my unhappiness, I couldn't find one.
I dug deeper, read articles, spoke to life coaches but nothing made sense. At last my
doctor friend gave me the answer which put all my questions and doubts to rest. When
I implemented those and l will say I am a lot happier person.
She said, there are four hormones which determine a human's happiness-
1. Endorphins, 2. Dopamine, 3. Serotonin and 4. Oxytocin.
It is important we understand these hormones, as we need all four of them to stay
happy.
Let's look at the first hormone - the endorphins. When we exercise, the body releases
endorphins. This hormone helps the body cope with the pain of exercising. We then
enjoy exercising because these endorphins will make us happy.
Laughter is another good way of generating endorphins.
We need to spend 30-munutes exercising every day, read or watch funny stuff to get
our day's dose of endorphins.
The second hormone is dopamine. In our journey of life, we accomplish many little
and big tasks, it releases various levels of dopamine. When we get appreciated for
our work at the office or at home we feel accomplished and good, that is because it
releases dopamine.
This also explains why most housewives are unhappy since they rarely get
acknowledged or appreciated for their work. Once we join work, we buy a car, a house,
the latest gadgets, so forth, in each instance, it releases dopamine and we become
happy. Now, do we realise why we become happy when we shop?
The third hormone serotonin is released when we act in a way that benefits others.
When we transcend ourselves and give back to others or to nature or to the society, it
releases serotonin. Even providing useful information on the internet like writing
information, blogs, answering people's questions on Quora or Facebook groups will
generate serotonin. That is because we will use our precious time to help other people
via our answers or articles.
The final hormone, Oxytocin, is released when we become close to other human
beings. When we hug our friends or family members oxytocin is released. The Jadoo
ki jhappi from Munnabhai does really work. Similarly, when we shake hands or put
our arms around someone's shoulders, various amounts of oxytocin is released.
So, it is simple, we have to exercise every day to get endorphins, we have to
accomplish little goals and get dopamine, we need to be nice to others to get serotonin
and finally hug little kids, friends and families to get oxytocin and we will be happy.
When we are happy we can deal with our challenges and problems better.
Now, we can understand why we need to hug a child who has a bad mood. So to make
your friend more and more happy day by day give her all the four hormones.
Have a happy life.
Answer the following questions
1. How can you help your friend have Serotonin?
2. What happens when you take a child into your arms and hug it?
3. Why does your friend feel happy when you appreciate her for big or small
achievement?
4. When happens when you share something with your friend?
5. What is the difference between pleasure and happiness?