Handling Examination Blues
It is that time of the year again when most of the students would be burning the night lamps to complete their course and prepare for the approaching examinations at different educational levels. Such a time can be stressful for both children and parents alike.
Parents often find it hard to cope with the increased irritability, demotivation and disconnectedness in their children prior to and during exam time. Here are a few TIPS that may help parents deal with their child’s anxieties during exams:
- Remain Calm and Relax: The best way you can help your child is to remain to calm yourself! It’s very important not to transfer any additional anxiety onto your kids. This can happen unintentionally, especially if you’ve had a mixed experience of exams yourself. Keep reminding yourself it’s not about you.
- Reinforce the positives: It is extremely important for parents to appreciate their children for every little success they achieve. Encourage them to look at failures as natural and opportunities to learn and grow. Praise your child’s effort and perseverance, rather than focusing on results. Listen to them, give support and avoid comparing him/her to other kids. Encouraging messages, cards, or even tight hugs can be extremely motivational.
- Strike a Balance: Encourage your child to take breaks while studying. Even during exams, some time should be set aside for playing outside, listening to music or engaging in any other preferred activity of choice. Eating regular and nutritious meals and a good night’s sleep is absolutely necessary.
- Keep the environment-friendly: Help your child prepare a schedule according to his own realistic standards and leave him to follow it in his own way. Assist them in arranging their tables and study material properly. A clutter free desk breeds healthy learning. The entire family should take care of minimizing noise and distractions during exam time.
Some TIPS for the students as well; as they are the ones who’ll actually be facing the challenge:-
- Structure your day (plan out a routine). Ascertain if you are a day or a night person; best/ most comfortable time of the day for studying.
- Take short breaks (2-5 mins) every 35-40 mins and start with a quick revision of the previous session.
- Make notes or flashcards for yourself. Make mnemonics (like VIBGYOR for the seven colours of the rainbow where each letter represents the subsequent colour starting with Violet and ending with Red as in the actual rainbow)
- A balanced diet, regular exercise, yoga and adequate sleep (at least 6 hrs)
- Reducing distractions to the minimal in the study environment, especially mobiles.
- Work on the table; use your bed only for sleeping and not for studying, as the bed is associated with sleep and when you sit and study on the bed, it confuses the brain as to whether to study or to sleep. This, in turn, starts interfering with the normal sleep pattern also.
- Positive attitude and faith in your own abilities.
And of course, there is no substitute for hard work. While you, as parents, may be willing to invest time, energy, and money to ensure your child does well in school, be mindful that your effort and expectations do not push your child over the edge. The happiness of your child is precious. A few years down the line, when you reminisce about their childhood, you will only remember their smiles and not their grades in their final examinations!