The word “examination” creates great trepidation in students’ mind as it is one of the major parameters to judge their academic standard in a school curriculum.
It is worth analysing that 24 hours in a day is same for everyone; yet, some students can create history of excellence by working meticulously within the stipulated time whereas some others fail to do so. Why is it so? Simply because they do not know how to manage time in an effective way and that is the root cause of examination stress.
If we try to unfold the various causes of this burning issue of examination stress, then definitely, in the very first place will come our mark-centric examination system that encourages the students for rote learning. Today, students are focusing more on remembering than understanding. Moreover, our existing education system is more information oriented than knowledge-oriented. But due to heavy syllabus especially in senior secondary level, it becomes difficult on the part of the students to cover the whole syllabus of all subjects by mugging up the text and appear an examination of tight competition.
Lack of understanding also makes learning not a fun but a pressure. The desire to secure high score in examination and fulfil various expectations of parents, teachers and peer groups causes stress in the mind of the students when they apprehend that it is difficult on their part to achieve.
Most of the schools conduct internal examinations from time to time, which is, indeed, a good system to get the students connected with the syllabus, question pattern and scheme of valuation. But, truly speaking, most of the students fail to understand its significance. They respond the classroom teaching in a casual manner and often neglect to act as per the teachers’ recommendations regarding preparation of notes and maintenance of a disciplined life which are secrets of scoring good marks in any examination. Instead of making systematic notes in every subject, they become more dependent on sample papers or internet, as a result, they do less writing and more reading. Moreover, huge no of students in schools and colleges, stereotyped teaching methods, more focus on timely syllabus completion than imparting knowledge, high expectations from children and technological distractions are some other reasons of the examination stress among the students.
Stress caused from examination exerts negative repercussion on the youth. When they go to the examination hall with too full of pressure and unsystematic preparation, they cannot show a brilliant performance which further leads to anxiety, loss of concentration, loss of self-esteem, depression, aggression, etc. Somefeel so much over-burdened that they are even addicted to intoxication. They start losing a healthy life and develop fear and nervousness towards examinations.
The DAV Public School, Chandrasekhrpur is a brand in the field of quality education. Every year it is setting new milestones by dint of the students’ scintillating performance in Board and Entrance examinations. The secret behind this success is its attempts and efforts to create a stress-free environment. The school believes that stress management is a unique art that demands major contributions from the students themselves though the role of teachers and parents cannot also be ignored. The DAVians are taught to manage their time effectively and work on priority basis keeping study at the apex and taking right decision at right time. Importance on various stress management techniques like music, yoga, meditation, sports and recreation also make them disciplined, self-reliant, calm and composed.
Teachers of the school have raised their teaching standard from traditional lecture method to fun-filled activity-based new methods using smart boards that make their teaching quite appealing. They are talented enough to allow the students to explore things themselves and analyse different concepts critically. They play the role of facilitators and give due credit to the creativity of the students and award marks by going beyond the marking scheme.
It is always advisable for the parents not to suffocate their wards by imposing too much of restrictions and regulations on them, rather try to understand their feelings, strengths and weaknesses and accordingly motivate and counsel them to set their goals. They are expected to be immensely supportive, cooperative and act as a beacon light in the desperate world of their wards.
It is their primary responsibility to keep their wards free from mental torture and turmoil. All these efforts and remedial measures will hopefully enable the students to prepare meticulously for various examinations and ultimately remove stress and anxiety from them.
(The writer is a senior faculty at DAV Public School, Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar)
