Counseling centres abuzz with calls from distressed Std X, XII students

THANE: The counseling centres have been buzzing continuously ever since the dates for the CBSE-board class X and XII results were declared. Counselors have been receiving calls from anxious parents and students about how they would fare and what they would do if they had scored less marks.
Dr. Riddhesh Maru, who runs two counseling centres, said, ‘‘While some students call because they are afraid that they will not score 90% and above, other are worried about how their parents will react if they scored low marks or failed.Most of them are also concerned about securing a seat in a college of their choice.’’
Counselors claim that increasing levels of anxiety is due to high competition level and desperation to get selected in a good college.
‘‘Anxiety can create irrational behaviour among students who tend to avoid face-to-face interaction, loss of appetite, etc. This sudden change of behaviour can make parents stressed too. We have been receiving call from parents asking us how to ensure that their kids are stress free. But we can only given suggestions, that all,’’ said Madhavi Kulkarni, at the Institute for Psychological Health (IPH).
Students under stress some times also tend to take drastic steps which is not good for them as well as the family.
‘‘Earlier, students used to get tensed only about how their parent’s would react to their marks. But nowadays due to high expectations, competition and getting into good colleges, students have a lot going on on their mind. This leads to high levels of anxiety,’’ said Dr. Maru.
Counselors have urged students and parents not to keep high expectations and to accept whatever are the results.
‘‘Expectations is a monster that can stress out students completely. There are many good colleges out there. Parents and students must know that and must not bank on just selected colleges. They must apply in other colleges too,’’ Kulkarni said.