Wednesday 20 / November / 2024
Amita and her friends were busy discussing the question paper at the gates of one of the Indian Schools in Oman. With most of the students having English as their first exam in their Senior Secondary School Examination, hundreds of students could be seen standing in groups post examination. While some found the question paper to be lengthy, there were many who thought it was quite manageable and hoped to score high marks. There were few others who were more concerned about the forthcoming examinations scheduled in the next few days. "I don't know how I will manage Physics, which is on March 6th and Maths which is on March 11th, said Samuel F, a Grade 12 student while expressing his concerns.
With the ongoing CBSE examination, a curriculum followed by most Indian schools in Oman, it's certainly a moment of anxiety, hope, expectations and in general an overwhelming feeling of stress. So is exam stress normal? While being a little anxious during exams is a part of the academic cycle, getting overly stressed can sometimes affect a student's performance and also his mental health.
The expectations to do well in the exams is so much that it puts immense pressure on them. From having poor sleep and fear of the outcomes of the exam to getting panic attacks and depression, exam stress can certainly ruin a student's performance. "Last year when I was appearing for my board exams I always had this thought coming in mind, If I fail my family will lose their respect, and everyone will think I am worthless," said a student who had appeared last year.
Parental and peer pressure to score good marks is another reason that adds on to the stress. While a certain amount of expectations from parents can have a positive impact helping the students to aim higher and achieve, at times unrealistic and unreasonable high expectations might result in breakdown. Having high expectations and having unrealistic expectations are entirely two different things. The key is to recognize a child’s potential and motivate them accordingly. Also when a student is going through immense pressure parents should communicate and address the issues and focus on the strengths rather than weaknesses.
Exam related anxiety can be even worse in students with special needs. While some do get the facility of a scribe and extra time, students who have learning disabilities may have more difficulties with their learning compared to other students, leaving them to feel frustrated and anxious mostly during examinations when their stress level builds up.
Here in Oman, the school authorities and the counselling departments have been providing round the clock support to the students to deal with exam stress.
The Central Board Of Secondary Education (CBSE) has been providing psychological counselling to students and parents to overcome exam-related stress since January. CBSE has introduced the facility of Interactive Voice Response System on a toll-free number from where the students/parents/stakeholders can obtain a pre-recorded useful information on tackling board exams which includes tips for better preparation, time and stress management, FAQs along with live tele counselling services. CBSE provides free IVRS facility 24×7 for students and parents on Board’s toll free number 1800-11-8004.
The CBSE tele counselling is offered by school principals and trained counsellors from within the CBSE affiliated schools located in and outside India, the board said, adding that it is a voluntary, free of cost service provided by the participants. This, too, is a free service, which is being provided by the Board from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm ( IST) from Monday to Saturday on 1800-11-8004.
A comprehensive audio-visual presentation titled 'Knowing Children Better' has been prepared and uploaded on CBSE website that focuses on problems of adolescents with suggestive measures as coping strategies. The viewers can access the tab 'Counselling' at www.cbse.nic.in.
