Recently JKBOSE issued date sheet for 10th, 11th and 12th classes and the examination is going to commence from February 15. With the issuance of date sheet, the students have already pulled up their socks and engaged themselves in their studies. Whenever the date sheet is issued for any examination, most of the students undergo a phobia or the fear of exams often termed as examophobia or examination phobia. It refers to a mental disorder that is usually found in most of the students. When exams arrive, students become extremely worried and make plans about how to study, how to perform better, and get good grades. If students regularly become excessively nervous before or during an important exam, it is certainly a fear of exams. In order to overcome this fear of examination, psychologists have given a wide range of remedies that need to be followed.
This year in our valley the previous academic session concluded in March-April 2024 and the current academic session was again shifted to November-December. The decision was appreciated by almost all sections of the society particularly by the students and parents. Examinations are an important phase in a student’s academic journey. Be it school exam, college level exam, University level exam or even competitive exams including the examinations conducted by various recruitment agencies for jobs or exams conducted at national level like NEET, UPSC, PSC etc. In order to succeed and perform well in the examinations, a collaborative role between students and parents is must. Parents play a crucial role in preparing their children for the examination and this role can never be undermined. Psychologists attribute the parental role as most significant and effective during the student’s examination. This parental involvement in a student’s examination is multifaceted and can significantly impact their academic success as well as emotional health. A supportive and engaged approach from parents can foster a positive learning environment, helping students navigate the challenges of examinations more effectively. Parents need to understand that their kids are not the machines. They should avoid overburdening their children by thrusting them to stick to the books whole day and night. Never pressurize them to stay inside whole day. What they need at this juncture is the support, guidance and encouragement of parents. Let the students sleep well. It will help them in grasping the ideas well and will take care of their health as well. Keep them away from social media and mobile phones so that they concentrate on studies. What we as parents need to do is to spare our time for them.
Ensuring that we act as role models and as individuals who can deal with stress in a healthy manner will encourage the children to do the same. Let us act responsibly, treat our children with empathy and allow them to foster, progress and evolve towards a prosperous career.
Children don’t only need dictation and direction, but parents need to sit with them and give them their good quality time. Let us give them good time to relax. Examinations should off course be taken serious, but these should not become a phobia or a source of mental trauma. Don’t pressurise your children to score 100 out of 100. This is indeed going to have a negative impact on them in the long run. Rather encourage them to perform well and get a good understanding of the subject and clear the concepts. Exams have been a constant source of stress in the lives of students who feel anxiety when preparing for examinations. As mentors, parents can guide their children to formulate a plan. As friends, to their children they should listen to the concerns and worries of their wards and provide unconditional support. Instead of aiming for perfection, students and parents should focus on doing their best and celebrating progress, even with small improvements. Surely it is difficult to keep the comparisons and societal pressure aside. But it is not impossible. Exam fever is a common challenge faced by many students, but it can be managed with proper preparation, positive thinking, and self-care. By addressing the root causes and practicing effective stress-management techniques, students can turn exam fever into an opportunity for growth, learning, and success. Parental support and cooperation plays a positive role in their successful journey. As parents we need a build a rapport with our children so that they remain motivated and inculcate self confidence in them. Any kind negative behavior on part of parents will surely mar the progress of these students in one or the other way. Make sure your child has gathered the relevant required study material for the exams; communicate with your children to dwell into their perspective of the subjects/chapters they are struggling with. Always allow for an open communication to flow rather than assigning the child with a fixed schedule or routine rather enable the children to formulate their own time table and schedule. In today’s online mode of learning, the students need to monitored properly in order to ensure they don’t waste their precious time and remain away from any unwanted and undesirable stuff being offered on internet. Sometimes, parents fall into the trap of stress themselves. In our common goal of wanting the best for our children we don’t realise that sometimes we may act as a factor of the child’s stress. Hence, ensuring that we act as role models and as individuals who can deal with stress in a healthy manner will encourage the children to do the same. So let us act responsibly, treat our children with empathy and allow them to foster, progress and evolve towards a prosperous career. Our children are our future, hope and indeed our pride.
(The author is a teacher. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Peerzada Aarif
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