Focus On Present And Future Efforts

It is that time of the year again when school students and their parents across India are all set for the Board /annual examination. The Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi interacted with the students, teachers and parents on 27 January 2023, Pariksha Pe Charcha. In the last few years, it has been a regular feature when the Prime Minister speaks to the children directly and answers their questions on exams and how they can perform better in the forthcoming exam. The word examination in itself is a bit scary and it is quite natural for all to get stressed while going through the ritual because of the unrealistic expectations from self and expectations of others from the individual. Unfortunately, in our country, the meaning of examination has been considered synonymous with scoring marks and qualifying for various entrance tests. For this, the drill starts at the beginning of the academic year (and in most cases many years before). Hence concluded, the exam is a way to recall whatever you were fed with during the year. Honestly speaking amidst all this the concept of learning is completely lost somewhere. So the stress (indirect) is to fill the vessel with knowledge and empty it in three hours at the end of the year. Sadly but true, education’s entire focus today is on the goal without paying heed to the enjoyment of the process which is eventually lost. In my previously penned articles, I have always mentioned that setting goals is very important but the process to achieve the same is equally important. Education in schools is not meant only to qualify for an exam but learn to live life and make things better for self and all.

 

A German proverb says that there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes. So remember you cannot follow the same routine or the path which you should/would have from the beginning of the session. Now you have limited time so change the approach accordingly. Adapt a new approach and have the confidence that you can still do very well. I would not agree with anyone that you did not learn anything at all in the last few months, though your pre-board result might be suggesting that. Teachers and parents, I request you that children need you and your support now more than ever before. So please do not utter any word/ sentence which hinders the positivity. As I said at the beginning examination, three hours standardised test is the most crucial time for all three (students, teachers and parents) hence it becomes all the more important to work in tandem and bring out the best in our children. There are a few points to remember for all the three (students, teachers and parents).

• Plan the time to focus on your strengths and ignore the topics you find difficult. Solve/ revise subjects/topics by writing than just reading from the book/notebook. Solve sample papers.
• Stay away from digital gadgets and social media sites because these are the real culprit to drift you away from the serious task at hand.
• Some of you might not have done well in pre-board exams and your parents and teachers might have expressed unhappiness on the same. This may put more stress on you but please remember that you still can perform much better. So do not worry about past performance and focus on future efforts. Whatever time is at your disposal before the exam, focus more on the topics which you can do very well than the ones you feel uncomfortable with.
• Take the help of your teachers whenever you need it.
• Do not worry now if you are not able to solve certain problems.
• Follow the guidelines issued by CBSE/ICSE/ other Boards and schools like carrying your Admit Card, and School I-Card, wearing proper school uniform, reaching the centre at least half an hour before the scheduled time and visiting the centre a day prior to avoid any hustle on the exam day.
• On the day of the exam: be confident, read the instructions given on the question paper, reading time should be utilized to the maximum, follow the section-wise sequence, write neatly, draw margins, leave line after every answer, leave those questions about which you aren’t confident and come back to them later, manage those three hours effectively.
• You may find one or more questions difficult and may not understand them in the first reading, do not worry at all you will be able to solve it in the second attempt.
• After the paper is over, try not to discuss how did you perform with your friends (parents and teachers should also encourage the children to prepare for the next exam).
• Please carry all needed stationery items (only those are allowed) to the examination centre.
• As per direction from the CBSE you should carry your admit card, and school identity card and be in school uniform, otherwise there might be a problem.
• Ensure to visit the examination centre a day prior so that you have an idea of the time required to reach there.
• I would request parents that as far as possible please drop and pick up the children to and from the centre and do not allow them to travel on their own.
• Utilize the gap you get between two papers because that is the most productive time.
• Prepare the units/ chapters that carry high weightage in order to consolidate your score by studying one portion in continuity.
• Time is vital and so does its management while writing the paper. Practice for your speed & accuracy with the help of a timer, considering them as mocks.
• Keep yourself hydrated and nourished. This will not only help in good focus but also better retention.
• However, taking breaks in between is also important, so get up, avoid long sitting and breathe in fresh air to the mind fresh and active.
• Remember nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that you may fear less.
• Do not think now about the life after board exams but focus to do well in this exam.
• Parents should make the next one month of their children happy and let them have the real taste of happiness of being with you and seeing you as their greatest comfort. We must remember that no amount of luxuries and riches can provide the cosiness that a few soothing words can.
• It is the moral duty of parents and teachers to guide them to devote themselves to creating something that gives them purpose and meaning. Once they find purpose and meaning they will never want to go back but will always strive to go forward.
• There is no such thing as ‘too late’ in life. Whenever you decide to do your best you are on time, such words said by teachers will be both motivating and encouraging to them.
• Students should be suggested some practical and feasible ways through which they can do better. Express love and concern, without the love of one’s family they are like birds with broken wings.
• Remember to focus exclusively on what is in your power as it magnifies and enhances your output.
• For this, teachers and parents need to try hard and help to make a difference. 
• Children should be given the much-needed confidence by them before, during and after the exams because they need it the most.
• Never compare them with others or with society’s typical standard.
• Parents must strive to provide a healthy and pleasant home environment to their children where they feel happy.
• Constant motivation and counselling of teachers work as a magic for students.
• Teachers may tell them the important topics that can be prepared in the nick of time and share notes, PPTs, and sample papers which can help them to score well.
•  Teachers please don’t talk to them about their performance in the previous exam rather encourage them to focus.
• Parent and teacher collaboration at this time is like a panacea. You both can together help the children to identify their potential and reach the desired goal.
• Teachers can motivate the students through telephonic conversations at regular intervals and a surprise visit to a child’s place can also help a lot.
• Those who have really prepared very well and are expected among the toppers, may also experience some anxiety. Have confidence in your ability and do not get stressed, you will definitely perform exceptionally well. 

As parents, you should be with them as their biggest solace and see how they make you proud not just in this exam but also in all the tests that life offers to them. Teachers are magicians with words but without wands. Cast a spell on your students with your words of experience and cheer. Boost their confidence and see your children scaling new heights. Children whatever you face, you have a choice: it is on you to decide whether you want to be blocked by obstacles or advance through and over them. In all situations, remember it is no good or bad, there is only perception. Perceptions can be a source of strength or great weakness. Our perceptions determine, to an incredibly large degree, what we are and are capable of. In many ways, they determine reality itself. It largely depends on you how you make all the obstacles in your life the way to achieve your goals. The best example to quote here can be Arjun, a great archer of his time, who saw only the bird’s eye and nothing else during his lessons on archery. We all have to be the Arjun now and learn to only see with our observing eye: what is there and not the obstacle. The only secret to getting ahead is getting started. The time has arrived for you to take action. Your action and moves define you. Therefore you must be sure to act with strong will, deliberation, self-assurance and resolve. Action is the solution and the cure to all your dilemmas. Cultivate the will to act and combine it with humility, resilience and flexibility. For this, the need is to learn the art of acquiescence (the act of accepting willingly) and practice cheerfulness even in dark times. It is quite obvious that during this time everyone whom you meet will give you valuable advice and suggestion intending to help you. Listen to them if you have time but let not your focus get off the target you have set for yourself and that is to perform well which you can do in the time at your hand.

As said by the PM be an exam warrior and not an exam worrier. The only worry you can have is to making best use of the time and the learning which you had before.

 

 

Summing up my thoughts with the famous quote of Henry Ford- One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn’t do. So be positive, realise your self-belief and potential and enjoy the Karma without worrying about the result. Wishing you all best of the performance in your forthcoming exams. May you perform to the best of your ability.