Love two guys at the same time, how do I choose?

Neeraj

Dear Neeraj,
Your parents are better equipped to handle bad news than you are. But just in case, break the news to them gently. Then sit together and figure out where to go from here. Apply to other colleges or findu00a0 options in India. Look for solutions, don't fret about the problem.

I am competing with my best friend...

Dear Diana,
I really do love my best friend a lot. Yet, I get jealous of her for the smallest things. Recently I started playing this word game on my mobile phone. I had mastered the first few levels before the subject came up one day and I introduced her to the game.

In lesser time than me, she had crossed more levels than I had. I should be happy for her, right? Yet I feel very bad that she beats me almost every time we play. I have become so obsessed with this, I spend all my time practising that game even to the extent of ignoring my studies, just so I can beat her next time. I realise I am stuck in a vicious cycle but am unable to come out of it. What do I do?

Rohini

Dear Rohini,
Learn to control your competitive nature. It's one thing to want to be good at whatever you do, and quite another to want to be better than anyone else in whatever you do. Especially with your friends.

If not curbed, you will extend this attitude to your career and later to your relationships, spelling disaster for you. Your self-worth should not come from what others do well, but how well you do.

Try and be happy for others. Tell yourself: she is my friend and I am happy for her. Set realistic goals for yourself and don't compare yourself to anyoneu00a0-- be it at a game or at studies. Tell yourself I will give it my best shot and then accept the results knowing you did the best. Compete with yourself, not with others around you.