Breathe easy before the exam, be alert

Chennai

Students must avoid learning new and complex material on the eve of the exam. Revise well what you know. Use your own study routine. It’s what suits you and works best for you. Someone else’s routine will interfere with your body rhythm and you will resist the sudden change, which will cause stress. Recognise the kind of stress you are experiencing. 

The eustress or good stress makes you feel excited, energised, pumps adrenaline and makes you ready to face any challenge. The bad stress makes you feel fearful or distressed and affects your body’s functions and emotions. Avoid talking to fellow students who stress you out with the extent of their knowledge or negative messages. 

Stay within your own emotional comfort zone. Avoid discussion on the subject at the exam venue. Breathe well and stay calm. If you forget an answer move to the next one and come back to it later. It will save you precious time.

Coping with failure: 

Once a paper is over, if you have done well you will feel positive. If the paper did not go well, be aware of the disappointment and tell yourself that it is okay to feel this way. This will help you avoid inner conflict. Move on to preparing for the next exam; don’t lose focus because of one setback. Share your thoughts and feelings with someone who understands you. This will help to de-stress. Just do your best. Do not compete with someone else, compete with yourself.

Parents must stay calm too: 

Parents must be supportive and understanding of their children. Positive words of encouragement will go a long way in helping them score good marks. Negative comments cause emotional stress.

Keep the family atmosphere calm and peaceful during the exams, and the home free of distractions. Your child is trying hard. Appreciate and support their effort. If you are stressed, do whatever it takes to relax yourself, or you will pass the anxiety on to your child.

• Do not introduce new changes in family routines and lifestyle except those that are helpful for the child’s comfort during the exams. Do what is necessary to maintain the child’s balance. Most importantly, do not ever compare the child with a sibling or other children. This can destroy the child’s self-belief and self-worth. Allow children to relax even during the exams. This helps them deal with stress and rejuvenate body and mind.
• Ensure they eat healthy and sleep well. Listen well without passing judgement when they are expressing their worries. Be supportive and stay strong for them. They trust you and want to do good for you as well.
• Parents are often stressed by family and community expectations. Remember your child is different and will excel in something now or later. Most importantly, buffer your child from unfair expectations. Often parents tend to use these expectations as encouragement. It just does not work this way.

The writer is a family and student counsellor

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