Board exam 2019 tips: Common signs of examination stress & how parents can help

Board exam 2019: This is the time when students appearing for board examinations are most vulnerable to stress. At their age, they may not be able to comprehend what’s confusing them or what’s causing them stress and anxiety.

Board exam 2019: The Annual Board Examinations for classes 10th and 12th are being organized across the country by various State Education Boards, CBSE and AISCE. (Getty images)

Board exam 2019: The Annual Board Examinations for classes 10^th and 12^th are being organized across the country by various State Education Boards, CBSE and AISCE. This is the time when students appearing for board examinations are most vulnerable to stress. At their age, they may not be able to comprehend what’s confusing them or what’s causing them stress and anxiety. And this is where, as parents, teachers and caregivers, it is our responsibility to identify if our ward is going through exam stress and help them in alleviating this upsetting feeling so they can give their best to the board examinations. Here’s a list of five most common signs of Exam Stress: 1. The child looks visibly irritated, agitated and overeacts to even trivial things. 2. The child looks tired all the time, lacks the usual bubbliness and smile on his/her face. 3. Loss of appetite is yet another big signal of exam stress. 4. The child finds difficulty in concentrating and is not able to complete task in hand despite the will do so. 5. Worst, the child gets teary eyed every now and then. Here’s how parents can help their wards cope up with Exam Anxiety or Stress: 1. Be encouraging to your child at all times, however, refrain from overdosing your child with high expectations. Lend them words of affirmation like ‘You can do it’, ‘My Champ’, ‘Believe in Yourself’, ‘Time is in your hand’ and so on. Visual gestures like a thumbs up, victory sign, pat on the back, too prove motivating for children. 2. Spare time for your child to discuss their academic difficulties. Arrange for a tutor/teacher to help them solve problems if you are not able to. Lack of need guidance and information is the most common reason for lack of preparedness. 3. Make sure that your child eats healthy and sufficiently during exam days. 4. Take the child out for a walk after dinner to help them open up with you and diffuse the stress before it builds up inside them. 5. Lastly, Do not forget to give a bear’s hug to your child every single day, physical touch is the most powerful emotional healing tool for children of all age. Children who are frequently caressed by their parents and elders are mentally strong and prepared to take life head on.