Every student must find calm amidst exam preparation
Children of every generation have associated exams with fear, anxiety and stress. Exam anxiety is a problem for many students. According to a survey by NCERT, about 80 percent of the students experience stress during examination season. But examination pangs aren't just limited to children. They are felt in equal measure by parents as well. The role of parents and teachers assume a special significance during exams of the children. They need to make conscious efforts to maintain an environment of peace and calm, as high levels of stress can affect a child's performance in the exam.
The latest episode of HT Dialogues-an initiative brought in by HT School that discusses the quality parameters in education and aims to dissect the problems faced by the students, parents and educators, talked about ‘How to Keep Students in High Spirits during Exam Season.’
The panel consisted of Dr. Sudha Acharya, Principal of ITL Public School Dwarka; Rupa Chakravarty Founder Principal of Suncity World School; and Dr. Gagandeep Kaur, who is the mother of 15-year-old Agam and a dental Surgeon in New Delhi. The crux of the discussion was to provide psychological and social support to students while they prepare for their examinations.
While discussing, the panelists highlighted several factors that would help students perform better in exams considering their overall physical and mental well-being. It was brought out that since exam preparation can be a stressful time for students, they might sometimes lose sight of the importance of self-care. Educators and parents can promote self-care on test days and at other times. For instance, as a teacher, it's important to send students an early text message of encouragement and remind them to eat a healthy breakfast, pack a water bottle, bring a snack, or give them a simple meditation session or song they can listen to during their morning assembly.
Sharing her techniques as a mother, Dr. Gagandeep said, “I always motivate my son with positive quotes and annotations like- You can do it! You have the potential of doing great etc. I always tell him that there is always a solution to every problem.” Agreeing to this mantra, Rupa Chakravarty also added her insights on how these days parents have adopted to excessive pampering and are reinforcing gratification to their children, which has led them to face difficulties in attaining academic excellence under pressure. On being asked about how exams are more about the learning process than measuring intellect, Dr. Sudha Acharya concluded saying, “Each and every student has the potential of not just learning but the ability to succeed. The understanding capacity of a student can only be measured with their conceptual knowledge and understanding, that may not necessarily depend upon the result of exams.”
The stress associated with exams can feel overwhelming, but it is manageable with these tips. While it is normal to feel anxious or stressed before and during an exam, it is important to find ways to manage this stress so it does not interfere with one’s academic performance. By preparing in advance for the test, making a study schedule, eating and sleeping timely and being positive can make all the difference.