HOW TO HANDLE STRESS OF EXAMINATION

Dear all

March is almost here. And so is the the dreaded EXAM SEASON. While the levels of tension, stress and frustration are on an all time high, no one can deny the immense power of a simple smile and a simple 'Good luck. I know you'll do well" in curbing the exam stress! There isn't a way out of these desperate days. And there isn't really a short cut either. But the best part is that each one of us will always get to see a smiling face and will get to hear an enthusiastic 'All the best' from someone at some moment. And here we are, extending our Ex-Principal Mr. Suraj Prakash's heartiest wishes, blessings and good lucks! We received his blessings in the form of an e-mail and we happily share that with all of you:

HOW TO HANDLE STRESS OF EXAMINATION

Transient feeling of anxiety and stress is a part of life for every individual. A mild degree of anxiety and stress may be stimulating and motivating, and may actually help to improve the performance; but high degree of stress may be disrupting. Examinations and interviews are undoubtedly stressful situations. Every child goes through such situation and learns to cope up with stress arising out of them, with experience and advancing age.

The coping strategies are partly inherent qualities and also learnt by observation of the parents or parent figures.

Appearing for examinations is one of the very common situations, which an adolescent finds difficult to cope up with. A hard working adolescent with good intelligence may not be able to give his full performance in an examination. An adolescent may avoid an examination or may not be able to write the answers, though he/she knows them. An anxiety may disable and affect performance of an adolescent in an examination.

Right approach and right coping strategies may stimulate an a child to overcome anxiety and maximize own performance in the examination. Minimal anxiety enables an individual adolescent to be more alert, attentive and concentrate fully in an examination.

High degree of anxiety interferes with performance not only in the examination room but perhaps even more in the preparation of examination.

There is no remedy if the student has not put up organized, and/or sufficient efforts and not prepared systematically for the examination. Systematic, persistent, organized efforts from the beginning of the session are the best strategies for any individual to prevent anxiety related to examination.

A warm relationship and feeling of security in the home environment promotes congenial atmosphere for an adolescent and minimizes the stress and anxiety before, during and after examinations.

Suggestions for students:-

Before going to the Examination Hall

1. Avoid indigestible food, excessive liquids and stimulants like cola, coffee or tea in the previous night.

2. Avoid late night reading.

3. Sleep for six hours at least, to get enough rest.

4. Avoid discussion about previous papers.

5. Plan some relaxation in the morning like listening to light music or going for a short walk or a jog for 15 to 20 minutes.

6. Do not attempt any new revision topics on the day of examination.

7. Eat light food with good nutritive value well before you start from home on the way to examination hall. Keep a small water bottle along with to keep you well hydrated.

In the Examination Hall

1. Minimize waiting time outside the examination hall. It is always good to have known the exact examination hall and seat on the previous day.

2. Walk straight into examination hall on the day of examination.

3. Avoid anxiety provoking discussions with friends e.g. discussion on topics or questions or nervous feelings you have, etc.

4. Practice positive self-statements like "I am going to do well", "I am well prepared for this examination', ‘I have come here to pass the examination with good grades’.

In the Examination Seat

1. Settle and compose yourself.

2. Layout your equipment. e.g. pen, pencil, compass etc at leisure with cool mind.

3. Take fifteen minutes to read the paper and check instructions carefully. then underline key words in questions in your mind and plan.

4. Try to write legibly.

5. Leave space after each answer.

6. Select the question you know the answer best.

7. Write simply in short sentences, with correct spellings.

8. Avoid long background introductions in your answers.

9. Do not worry about the number of supplementary sheets used other examinees. Just concentrate on your own job.

10. Plan your time - drive the time according to the marks allocated to each question.

11. Stick to your time budget - try to keep ten minutes time at the end so as to permit you to tie supplementaries, check roll no. etc.

12. If you are running out of time - remember that two half answered questions fetch more marks than only one fully answered question. So never leave any question unattempted.

13. Always leave five to ten minutes in the end to check your answers. This strategy helps to make minor changes, recheck any inadvertent omissions and adds to the mental peace for further examination papers.