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Kolkata: Schools are focusing on reducing stress for board students during the exam season to help them perform better. With multiple instances of board examinees experiencing panic attacks before the tests, students are coming to professional counsellors for assistance. In most of the cases, students are anxious about not scoring well enough to choose their desired career paths. Several counsellors emphasised that parental pressure is also a major issue that board students encounter.
Shovona Mukherji, a counsellor at a reputable private school, dealt with several issues of board students mainly related to stress that starts as the exams come closer. “Exam stress is a very common phenomenon among students but there are some who feel overwhelmed and anxious thinking about not having enough time to complete the syllabus or revise all subjects. Some have specific difficulties, like a fear of maths. Some can tackle maths problems at home but blank out after entering the exam hall,” she said.
Another student counsellor attached to a reputable private school, Sucharita Ghosh, said compared to boys, girls are a little ahead in seeking help to tackle pre-exam stress. “We start this session from the beginning so that students can identify their issues early. However, in dealing with mental health issues, girls are ahead of boys. Recently, two boys came to me with the trouble of panic attacks, and it was resolved. We did parental counselling because over-expectation is also a reason for stress. Ahead of exams, we speak to examinees to advise them to be calm and focused, and never think of failure. We urge parents to be with their wards and never compare them with others,” she added.
School principals are also concerned about mental health issues. Aditya Academy Secondary, Barasat, principal Sumana Saha said, “Success does not come in one day; it is a result of small efforts made every day. So we told our children that they worked so hard for so long, and they need not worry.”
St Augustine’s Day School, Shyamnagar, principal Rodney Borneo said, “We gave a list of 100 questions per subject for practice, and class teachers are personally keeping in touch with students. Even if they are hesitant to ask anything, teachers are taking regular feedback from them. So, our children are confident.”
Heritage School principal Seema Sapru said students were advised to have proper sleep at night to write papers with a fresh mind and focus on revision only. DPS Newtown School principal Sonali Sen emphasised proper sleep, a healthy lifestyle, and doing some physical activities for 15-20 minutes to reduce exam stress.
Kolkata: Schools are focusing on reducing stress for board students during the exam season to help them perform better. With multiple instances of board examinees experiencing panic attacks before the tests, students are coming to professional counsellors for assistance. In most of the cases, students are anxious about not scoring well enough to choose their desired career paths. Several counsellors emphasised that parental pressure is also a major issue that board students encounter.
Shovona Mukherji, a counsellor at a reputable private school, dealt with several issues of board students mainly related to stress that starts as the exams come closer. “Exam stress is a very common phenomenon among students but there are some who feel overwhelmed and anxious thinking about not having enough time to complete the syllabus or revise all subjects. Some have specific difficulties, like a fear of maths. Some can tackle maths problems at home but blank out after entering the exam hall,” she said.
Another student counsellor attached to a reputable private school, Sucharita Ghosh, said compared to boys, girls are a little ahead in seeking help to tackle pre-exam stress. “We start this session from the beginning so that students can identify their issues early. However, in dealing with mental health issues, girls are ahead of boys. Recently, two boys came to me with the trouble of panic attacks, and it was resolved. We did parental counselling because over-expectation is also a reason for stress. Ahead of exams, we speak to examinees to advise them to be calm and focused, and never think of failure. We urge parents to be with their wards and never compare them with others,” she added.
School principals are also concerned about mental health issues. Aditya Academy Secondary, Barasat, principal Sumana Saha said, “Success does not come in one day; it is a result of small efforts made every day. So we told our children that they worked so hard for so long, and they need not worry.”
St Augustine’s Day School, Shyamnagar, principal Rodney Borneo said, “We gave a list of 100 questions per subject for practice, and class teachers are personally keeping in touch with students. Even if they are hesitant to ask anything, teachers are taking regular feedback from them. So, our children are confident.”
Heritage School principal Seema Sapru said students were advised to have proper sleep at night to write papers with a fresh mind and focus on revision only. DPS Newtown School principal Sonali Sen emphasised proper sleep, a healthy lifestyle, and doing some physical activities for 15-20 minutes to reduce exam stress.