It’s that time of the year again. The final exams are here. Students are stressed and so are parents. We are often asked “what should We do to do well in the exams”.

To the students we say:

1. Relax – this is not the first exam of your life nor is it the last. If you are appearing at the 10th board, you’ve appeared at a minimum of 20 exams, add a 40 more if you want to include the monthly tests as well. So treat this as any other exam. The 12th Grade students, add a few more to these numbers.
2. There is no need to go through all the chapters of your book again and again. You’ll only confuse yourself more. Just look at the important topics (the past papers will give you an indication) and take a few notes here and there. Taking these short notes helps rejig your memory.
3. Visualize the paper in your head. Think of the sections and let your mental clock take notes of how much time you would need to tackle each section.
4. Eat well– your brain needs the food to keep running plus your question papers don’t become easy if you starve yourself.
5. Keep yourself hydrated. Remember the summer is almost here. Basically you need to keep your body and brain well fed. Take care of your body so that it takes care of your memory.
6. Listen to the music you love. Nothing has a better relaxing effect than some good music. Go out and play if that is what you enjoy. Even those who are not into physical activity, stepping out for a walk or jog really helps.
7. Sleep well and sleep enough- you have worked hard through the year. You want to go to your exams feeling fresh.
8. Don’t discuss anything related to the exams with your friends. You would have noticed that some friends take pleasure in boasting about how they have completed the portion a month back. Stay away from those discussions. Just focus on what you are doing.
9. Do have normal conversations with your friends about the fun topics you enjoy discussing.
10. The most important thing you must remember “Have faith that you are prepared and things will be fine.”

On the day of exam:

1. Wake up on time. Take a nice long shower. Have a snack (again no starving).
2. Make sure you have packed some extra pens, pencils, erasers and the other material – ruler, Geometry box)
3. Remember to have your admit card/ statement of entry.
4. Most important – don’t carry a heavy bag. Don’t carry any of your books. Enjoy the light bag for once and in any case going through the book outside the exam room just doesn’t help.
5. Once you receive the question paper, spend some time going through the instructions. Then go through the question paper a couple of times.
6. If you feel a bit panicky, just sit with your eye closed and imagine things that make you happy. You’ll feel a lot better.
7. Try to complete the entire paper by dividing time judiciously. Some students run out of time because they try to write a lot for the easy questions that they are sure about. Attempting all questions gives you a better chance of scoring.
8. Important: Don’t look at others writing the paper or don’t get worried when people start asking for extra sheets. Remember - Number of sheets is not directly proportional to the marks scored.
9. In case of any doubts, feel free to ask the invigilators. They are there to help.
10. After completing the paper, again don’t discuss anything related to exams with your friends. There is more to the day than those 3 hours of exam.

To the parents we say:

1. Relax – don’t get stressed. It’s your child exam, not yours. By being stressed you could be guilty of passing on second hand stress to your teen.
2. Be there for them not with them all the time.
3. Take care of your food and sleep. You can take care of your child if you are feeling good yourself.
4. Don’t discuss exams or anything related at home. Just carry on with your normal routine.
5. Go out for a relaxing meal a couple of days before exam. Give the child the impression that exams will come and go and that shouldn’t affect the normal routine or life.
6. No arguments with your spouse about your child’s study habits or preparation. Arguments and fights will not improve your child’s score.
7. Now the most important question parents have – “should the child be allowed to use his/her mobile during his study breaks” ? Well, yes, if that is how he relaxes for brief periods. This is not the time to run your device de addiction program. Remember, your child is more worried about the time spent on studying than you are.
8. If your child sounds worried, empathize with her. Tell her, a little bit of stress actually brings out the best. Let the teens believe that they will breeze through and that these exams are not the end of the world.
9. Stay relaxed and chilled (term teens use most often).
10. Remember to give them a hug and a smile in the mornings – and a special big hug and a big wide smile on the day of the exam.

11. To both the teens and their parents, we say:

Good Luck! You have done well so far, you can only do better.

Happpy Parenteen!