The board exams being just around the corner has started giving jitters to not only the students but the parents as well. Examination fever is at an all-time high and the families are Constant advice from relatives, tuition teachers, and school coordinators seem to be coming in from all directions. Some students are busy working on their timetables, and routines and pursuing the traditional way but many seem to be baffled by this information overload coming in from all directions.
To this Clinical Psychologist, Dr Shobhita Jain gives a perspective, on how to write exams systematically and happily. She says, “Exams should be considered as a gateway to the next level and not an obstacle to success. Rather than getting confused a student should feel happy and be confident. she further added that having anxiety is normal but if you let it overpower you might affect your state of mind ultimately deterring your performance.
Here are a few ways Dr Shobhita suggest that students, parents, teachers and mentors can do to keep cool during board exams.
Make a Time Table
Whether it is exam time, preparation or daily life. Making a timetable helps a student to set a target and review it as well. The topics that need more preparation, can be given some time every day. Besides the time for studying, the time to watch TV and some ME time should also be put. This will help you to balance out time for study and relaxation.
Eat Healthy, Stay Hydrated
Food plays a very important role during the exam time. If you feel drowsy after having a full meal, keep yourself, satiated with small servings. Good Carbs and vitamins are important for metabolism and help you cope with stress and anxiety. Staying hungry for long might lead to gastric problems, headaches and dizziness.
So to stay healthy it’s important to eat well. Besides you should not miss on taking a lot of fluids. Avoid taking carbonated drinks. Drinks like fruit juices, coconut water, lemon water, and buttermilk can be a good substitute if you avoid eating.
Recognize signs of stress
Parents have a crucial role to play during exams. It is the responsibility of parents to give children a lot of emotional support, sit with them and tell them that exams are just a part of life that prepare you to go ahead. They should be taken seriously but not at the cost of your health.
There are different somatic, cognitive, physiological, and emotional signs of distress. Under any circumstance, should be considered as mere excuses or escape routes.
It is a call for help where your child needs affection, love, care, and your presence to comfort them of their anxieties. In case it does not work, do not hesitate to reach out for professional support.
Create a conducive learning environment
As your child navigates the challenging period of board exams, your support as a parent is pivotal. Providing a space free from distractions, unnecessary arguments, and expectations can enhance your child’s academic journey — be it ensuring that your child gets an optimal 7-hour uninterrupted sleep, little reminders to take breaks as they sit and study for long hours, maintaining supervision on overuse and misuse of gadgets, providing healthy nourishment, and getting a calm environment to study can go a long way.
Presence of teachers important
Teachers should be present at the examination centre with a smile on their face. They should speak positive and happy things and motivate them. They should give special importance to the weak students and fill them with confidence just before the exam.
Dr Shobita says that exams are a beautiful immersion in the journey of life and should be taken as a juncture, not the destination. All children are special and they should be accepted and acknowledged the way they are.