With board examinations just around the corner, schools in Gurgaon have kick-started initiatives to help students deal with the examination stress. Schools in the city have started holding counselling sessions and workshops for students.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) latest report, 93 students committed suicide in the state after they failed in the examinations in 2015. Therefore, the basic objective of these sessions is to help students beat exam stress and prepare them for handling the pressure and anxiety of board examinations.
Teachers across Gurgaon schools are focusing on a two-pronged approach — intensive and individualised preparation for the exams and boosting the morale of students by providing counselling, handy tips in time management and test-taking strategies.
Sudha Goyal, director, Scottish High International School, said, “We have started an optional test series for the students whereby any of them could come to school, write a test on any subject he wants and have his paper marked by the concerned teacher as well. He can also ask for guidance or help. We have also arranged for regular guidance on stress/exam management wherein the students are told to be optimistic before appearing for exams, believe in themselves, not panic, take adequate rest, have nutritious food and draw up a timetable and follow it religiously.”
The schools have also stressed that this is the time when parents need to give their 100 percent support to the kids. Stress builds up as exams near and therefore, instead of studying continuously, students should study a little of every subject with breaks.
The Suncity World School also organised a session where the parents will be invited along with their wards.
Rupa Chakravarty, principal of Suncity World School said, “The children seek their parent’s blessings at the session and we also held a Karmic healing session for the students to help them beat stress and focus on their studies.”
“Counselling on handling stress and stage fright is being done at different levels and besides pre-boards, short tests are being arranged for students to help them prepare for the exam proper,” she added.
Dr. Anshu Arora, principal of Amity International, Sector 43, said, “Students writing board exams need tactful handling because a lot of pressure is brought to bear on them at this time. We held counselling sessions where we invited subject experts and also dwelt at length on the styles and methods of learning. Apart from that, we have been stressing on one-to-one teaching and have even formed WhatsApp groups to make ourselves available round the clock.”
Hospitals also started an initiative to deal with stress-related queries with a view to provide emotional support during exams. Fortis Healthcare hospital on Friday launched a helpline number +918376804102 on which parents as well as their wards can call between 9 am and 5 pm for advice and even consult mental health experts and behavioural psychologists.
“The counsellor will be available seven days a week for guiding students and their parents,” said Dr. Samir Parikh, director, Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Healthcare.
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