Exam fever: Stress on preparation, not pressure

BANGALORE: Don''t be surprised if you are the boss and there are requests for leave from your colleagues. Unlike at the fag end of the year when leave is taken to either exhaust pending days or for pleasure trips, February-March are the testing months. Colleagues are handling examinations — their children''s.
It is as good as parents themselves facing exams — they sit with their children, burn the midnight oil and study hard for good results.Apart from restrictions like ban on watching TV, early mornings and late nights, these are months of high stress and anxiety for both generations.
Here''s why: CBSE and ICSE class X examinations are scheduled from March 3, CBSE and ISC class XII examinations are from March 1 and March 3 respectively, SSLC examinations are from March 22 and II PUC examinations from March 30.
Said Guruprasad S., a parent employed in a private company, "My wife and I take leave during my daughter''s examinations. I took leave when she had her preparatory examinations and my wife will during her Board examinations. Besides, my mother-in-law is staying with us during her preparatory holidays."
These equations hold good for any nuclear family with employed parents. "I usually have my grandmother for company at least during preparatory holidays. If there is nobody at home, I tend to watch a lot of TV," confesses Priya, a class X student.
Peaking anxiety and stress levels have resulted in many more children and parents seeking medical assistance. "Between December 2003 and February 2004, I have handled a 10-fold increase in children complaining of stress. It is very important for students to focus on preparation and writing the examination.
"They should not compare themselves with their peers, but critically analyse their strengths and weaknesses and prepare accordingly," psychiatrist Dr Vikram Prabhu advises.
"Students flourish with unconditional love and encouragement and such an atmosphere brings out the best in them. Parents should strive to provide this," he suggested.
But he cautioned schools against harping on obtaining 100 per cent first classes and distinctions. "It''s fine for schools to focus on getting 100 per cent distinctions, and advertising it as an achievement. But the pressure they put on students to meet those targets is worrying."
Relax, study hard, don''t panic and do well!