Motivation, support and a little hand holding are important for a stress free exam. Nitin Agarwal writes
Every year lakhs of students appear in class X board exams in India. Board exams are considered as one of the most important milestones in a student’s academic life. So, it is better to avoid the stress that occurs during these exams. The desire to clear the class X board exams with good marks can sometimes affect the mental health of the students as they may worry about the exams at a time when they should focus all their efforts on revision . Exam stress can further lower their confidence level, leading to poor performance and results. So it is very important for the teachers to boost the morale of the students.
Following are some key tips to motivate the students just before the exam:
understand the interests of the students
It is a good exercise for teachers to know the strengths and weaknesses of the students. Teachers can get to know their students better by conducting unique sessions focused on ‘Know You’ discussions. Such a session should be held every month. Activities such as connecting students with similar interests into groups and assigning writing or speaking assignments can help build their enthusiasm for the subject.
give personal feedback
One to one advice can be very helpful for the students to get ready before the exam. This can be an opportunity for the students to clear all their personal doubts and understand the concepts better. They could also discuss the challenges of studying during these interactions. By providing personalized feedback, teachers can better understand students’ abilities. However, teachers have a responsibility to encourage young learners to speak up during individual mentoring sessions.
encourage cooperation and competition
Teachers should encourage the idea of cooperation and competition by engaging students. They should be encouraged to justify their ideas or work in pairs to articulate an answer that will promote peer improvement and effective analysis of their own progress. Teachers can promote teamwork and this will help students learn from each other. Such activities will also expose them to a diverse set of ideas.
schedule regular breaks
One of the biggest reasons for students’ demotivation just before the exam remains exhaustion. When a person is tired and studies for a long time without taking timely breaks, the ability to think rationally gets impaired massively. It is advisable to take regular breaks during the study sessions to strike the right balance between study and entertainment. Therefore, teachers should help the students to prepare the study timetable with regular intervals in between.
get some exercise
Stress can be a major contributor to poor performance during exams. It is a proven fact that regular exercise keeps both the mind and body healthy. Practicing exercises such as meditation or yoga can help students feel more relaxed which will help them stay calm and focus better.
It is extremely important to keep students motivated during board exams. A teacher can understand the interests of the students and can plan the preliminary revision to prepare them for one of the most important exams of their life.
(The author is Senior Vice President, super teacher,
Every year lakhs of students appear in class X board exams in India. Board exams are considered as one of the most important milestones in a student’s academic life. So, it is better to avoid the stress that occurs during these exams. The desire to clear the class X board exams with good marks can sometimes affect the mental health of the students as they may worry about the exams at a time when they should focus all their efforts on revision . Exam stress can further lower their confidence level, leading to poor performance and results. So it is very important for the teachers to boost the morale of the students.
Following are some key tips to motivate the students just before the exam:
understand the interests of the students
It is a good exercise for teachers to know the strengths and weaknesses of the students. Teachers can get to know their students better by conducting unique sessions focused on ‘Know You’ discussions. Such a session should be held every month. Activities such as connecting students with similar interests into groups and assigning writing or speaking assignments can help build their enthusiasm for the subject.
give personal feedback
One to one advice can be very helpful for the students to get ready before the exam. This can be an opportunity for the students to clear all their personal doubts and understand the concepts better. They could also discuss the challenges of studying during these interactions. By providing personalized feedback, teachers can better understand students’ abilities. However, teachers have a responsibility to encourage young learners to speak up during individual mentoring sessions.
encourage cooperation and competition
Teachers should encourage the idea of cooperation and competition by engaging students. They should be encouraged to justify their ideas or work in pairs to articulate an answer that will promote peer improvement and effective analysis of their own progress. Teachers can promote teamwork and this will help students learn from each other. Such activities will also expose them to a diverse set of ideas.
schedule regular breaks
One of the biggest reasons for students’ demotivation just before the exam remains exhaustion. When a person is tired and studies for a long time without taking timely breaks, the ability to think rationally gets impaired massively. It is advisable to take regular breaks during the study sessions to strike the right balance between study and entertainment. Therefore, teachers should help the students to prepare the study timetable with regular intervals in between.
get some exercise
Stress can be a major contributor to poor performance during exams. It is a proven fact that regular exercise keeps both the mind and body healthy. Practicing exercises such as meditation or yoga can help students feel more relaxed which will help them stay calm and focus better.
It is extremely important to keep students motivated during board exams. A teacher can understand the interests of the students and can plan the preliminary revision to prepare them for one of the most important exams of their life.
(The author is Senior Vice President, super teacher,