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Mankind has faced multiple challenges and difficulties such as Natural disasters, Economic crises, Political instability, Pandemics, Wars etc. The bigger and complex the problem is, the faster we have bounced back with utmost planning and precision which has made us much stronger than before.
But there is one community that always has a long-lasting impact from all these crises and takes its own pace to bounce back and that is the student community. They are vulnerable and are less resilient to immediate changes that occur in the environment, society and even in the education system.
We have often seen our students struggle during the “transition” – maybe it is from one grade to another, one school to another or one learning mode to another. These young minds have often shown resistance to adapting to quick changes and are willing to continue in their comfort zone.
Students even after a year of normal schooling are apprehensive about socializing, sharing opinions freely, collaborating and working on projects or assessments. They face challenges like anxiety, pressure to perform well, fear of failure, fear of being judged etc.
The examination stress can manifest itself in various physical and emotional symptoms like difficulty in sleeping, Headaches, stomach aches, loss of appetite, nervousness, depression, anger and difficulty focusing on studies. There are multiple instances where students fall sick just before the exams and remain absent for the same.
Students must be empowered to understand that the exams are conducted to test their knowledge, skills and abilities so that they are supported in the areas where they lag.
I strongly believe that as Educators and parents, we have a great role to play here.
The exams must be considered as a normal part of schooling and education. We must enable and guide our students to face them without any inhibitions or fear.
We must show a lot of trust and confidence in students and make them feel that they are important to us and we care for them.
Encourage students to express their concerns and feelings without any hesitation and reassure them through positive reinforcement to help them build confidence and reduce anxiety.
Help students feel more motivated and develop essential skills such as self-confidence and resilience and improve their overall performances.
Educators must communicate exam expectations clearly with their students, provide study resources, and offer personalised feedback to help them improve their exam performance.
Train students to master the skill of time management and prepare a study schedule or a calendar which includes specific time slots for each subject with regular breaks.
By breaking down their study sessions into smaller, more manageable chunks, most students will feel less overwhelmed and will be able to make the most of available study time.
To help students excel in their exams, Educators should provide relevant study materials and practice papers. They can also create a resource library, conduct review sessions, and use technology to provide online resources and learning tools.
The latest survey by the Times of India suggests a few strategies for parents to support their children during the exam and reduce their fear, stress and anxiety levels.
Recognise the symptoms of stress and anxiety, including physical ailments like frequent headaches, stomach aches and loss of appetite. Refer the child to a family paediatrician or a counsellor depending on the intensity of the concerns.
Be an active listener and communicate with the child that these emotions and feelings are normal and can be overcome through sharing with parents or their loved ones.
Ensure that the child has a proper sleeping pattern and do not force the child to study at night even if the exam is scheduled next morning.
Provide healthy and nutritious food and completely avoid junk during the exams.
Restrict the use of gadgets and other mediums of entertainment for all the family members so that a lot of distractions can be reduced.
Help them to create a study schedule and keep a check on the same regularly.
Provide trust and reassurance to the child. Tell them to put forward their best and consider their failures as a learning opportunity.
Let me conclude with the following quote: “Marks in exams don’t always equal intelligence or brilliance” Dear students, recognize your inner strength and face the examinations with a lot of confidence and enthusiasm, believe in yourself and success will cherish you.
Mumtaz Begum
Middle and Senior School Academic Coordinator
“[Kids] don't just remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.”- Jim Henson.
Our teachers at Ekya are truly amazing! They always strive to get the best out of us and reach great heights in doing so. Teachers play a critical role in shaping our lives. Beyond imparting knowledge, they inspire, motivate and instil values that go far beyond the four walls of a classroom. This blog is a celebration of the unsung heroes who pave our paths and leave an undestroyable impression on our lives.
At Ekya, the teachers teach us with a fun and captivating style, they don’t pressure us to go beyond what we can do but they nudge us when they think we can do it! We love, not only the way they teach us but their amazing personalities which awe and inspire us to become better versions of ourselves. As the above says, we don’t remember our teachers for what they teach us, but for who they are and how they influence our lives to become better and better.
Our teachers have a passion for teaching which they don’t hide! They are passionate about the subject they teach and always bring out the best in us. They have loads of patience! They explain concepts over and over again for our understanding. They adapt and pick up things very easily. They know each student’s weaknesses and strengths and encourage them to improve on things that they do not know well. All our teachers are creative and make learning a fun roller coaster ride! They develop new ways to teach and reflect on our learning growth. They are also very fun! Always smiling! Ready to crack a joke anytime! Last but not least, their dedication! The dedication they have for their subject and us students is admirable! They teach us flawlessly with a drive no one will find anywhere else! They make sure we don’t learn a subject for the sake of it but because we want to! Because we enjoy learning, learning becomes fun, especially with teachers like these.
As we reflect on our educational journey, let's take a moment to thank all our teachers at Ekya and everywhere else for their amazing commitment and passion for teaching us and making it fun!
Thank you, Teachers! You all are awesome.
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