Celebs stress on taking a chill pill this exam season

It’s the exam season, again! One thing that hasn’t changed with years, especially for Class 10 students, is the famous comment, ‘The board exams will shape your future.’ The pressure and expectations on them is boundless. But as they gear up to give the exams, here’s what a few celebs, who haven’t followed the conventional path of education but have emerged successful, tell us:
What matters is whether they have given their best: Poornima Indrajith, fashion designer - actor
During my boards, I only faced pressure from my teachers and family.
But, today’s children need to put up with a lot more, from the virtual world, tuition centres and more. At the same time, today’s education system has its merits too. For instance, in CBSE, students are allowed to study basic mathematics if they aren’t planning to study the subject in Class 11 and 12. This lowers the pressure. But, there are also those who aren’t privileged with these options. I think when kids understand this, that too would make a difference. Also, until you face the exams, you would be constantly stressed out.
What’s going to matter in the future is how they handle life’s situations and the understanding that fear and courage go hand in hand. It also matters whether they have given their best. If the result isn’t great even after that, it’s not something they should take the blame for as it was beyond their control.
Board exam should be given like any other exams in school: Gopi Sunder, composer
Often, parents inflate the importance of Class 10 exams, from the time they are first graders and are told pathaam class jayikkanam. This would scare them, well in advance. They don’t try enough to find children’s talents. Many things, like the kind of mathematics you learn in school, is not even applied in real life.
My own life is an example of how you can be successful if you do things that make you happy. When I didn’t complete my Class 10, I was only worried about my parents. But, I started off my career at the age of 16, which is much earlier than my peers, which helped me reach where I am now.
I would say one must look at the Class 10 exam like any other examination, say, a Class 9 exam. One must also nurture what a child is interested in and show them the way.
Everyone will discover their inherent ability, growing up: Anees Salim, writer
I stopped studying after Class 11. Looking back, I consider it my best decision.
However, I don’t want it to influence anyone, including my own son. The road to getting my works published wasn’t easy. I wanted to write in English, but my education was in Malayalam medium.
t was a risk, considering that I was just beginning to explore the world of books. It was a brave decision, and it could have gone either way.
I won’t advice anyone to stop education to be something. As for today’s pressure, I tell my son to relax, do what he can and not compare himself to anyone. I’m sure everyone has an inherent ability and as you grow, one might discover that. That’s what I want to tell everyone. I would also like to tell the parents that the biggest let down children can experience is comparing them to others.
Children should study for themselves: Nisha Sarang, actor
Back in our times, we did not face this much pressure, though parents were concerned back then too. I was staying in my paternal house, when I was in Class 10, and because of that I was never put through tense situations. Even after my exams, I never felt or regretted that I should have studied more, as a majority of the excellent students are now confined to being housewives. That said, if an adult is well educated, he or she could transfer the knowledge to their children. Parents should love their children and give them the needed facilities, while at the same time make them aware of the difficulties one is in, as a family. They must be taught about their family atmosphere, but not pressurize them. Personally, I have never gone behind my children saying, ‘Padik padik’. As long as they have a goal, and you keep thinking about it and working towards the same, you will study. Study for you own selves, not for your parents or anybody. When you keep comparing yourselves to others, what you get won’t be the right one. Rather than going on a curvy lane, focus on the straight path, and you will get what you have to.