It's examination time at schools

Kochi: The heat of the summer and that of the exams is now on. With the main subject board exams of CBSE Class XII and Class X set to start on Saturday and Tuesday respectively, the students of these classes remain a tense lot. They have a lot of expectations too while some are dealing it cool. What it takes to handling a board exam? Some of those facing the board exam reveal their mind.

According to Akhila Ann Bony, Class X student of St. Philomena’s Public School, Elanji, an examination is a way to test one’s physical and mental abilities.

“Examination is not about answering a paper full of questions, but it is a way to develop the student’s abilities. Life is also an examination. The academic examinations confronted so far have helped me reduce my fears and tensions of approaching the final exam,” said Ms Bony.

“Examination challenges us to find the exact answer from the crammed and jumbled up information stored in mind. We should face the examination with confidence and determination. Belief in God is the foundation for it.”

To Alazne Elizabeth Rose, Class XII student of the same school, prayer does play an important role during exams.

“The days before the exams are spent in cramming the information in the head. At such times we wished that the books and science were buried in the depths of the sea,” she said with a guffaw.

“After working hard and preparing for the exam a person is lucky if he/ she can recollect the information while writing the exam because sometimes a person tends to forget what he/she has learned at the most crucial time. Let all our prayers for smooth sailing in the exams be heard.”

Nanda Sreeraj, Class X student of SBOA Public (Sr Sec) School, Ernakulam, feels the future of a student largely hinges on the results of the board exams.

“But it doesn’t mean that examination is a beast. I have decided to face this exam like any other exam but more seriously,” she said.

“I have a time table; practice previous years’ question papers, maintain my health by drinking lots of water, take regular breaks and complete my day to day portions.  I give a break to the phone and television too,”.

“I have many supportive teachers. Answering question papers in a fixed time can help to solve the problem of time management. Be confident.  Parents should be supportive so that we come out successful,” Ms Sreeraj added.

Sukrutha S. Kumar, another Class X student of SBOA Public School, is little uneasy!

“When I got my hall tickets, I felt like a warrior who gets his weapon to go for the war. I remember my social science teacher do a countdown of months, six months, four months …..and now hardly a  few days for the boards for which we have been struggling for this entire year,” she said.

“My school conducted many tests this year. Even until a week before, we were undergoing tests. As a result, I am not feeling nervous about appearing for my boards.”

“But that doesn’t mean that I have scored a centum in all these tests. It’s just that I have overcome the feeling of anxiety about the Board exam. But what trouble me the most are two things - one is that whether I will be able to keep up the expectations of my teachers and family and the other one is if I will be able to prepare well for my maths exam as I have got only one day for preparations! But the words of my Maths teacher makes me feel a bit relaxed. She said ‘work hard; don’t be worried about the results. Whatever the result is, receive it with a smiling face,” added Ms Kumar.

Keerti S. Pillai, Class XII student of SBOA School, says right from the time she stepped into Std.XII, people around her have been scaring the hell out of her.  

“I tell myself that I already wrote one Board exam in Class X and did well too. My parents tell me “that was CCE and this time it’s an altogether new ball game”. “Is it?!” I ask myself.  CCE or not, I did the studying then, and I am doing it now. I put on a confident face and shrug away everyone who tries to pressurise me but deep inside I can feel the knot. A million doubts pop up in my mind - Am I well prepared?  Will luck favour me?  Will I have enough time for a revision? Will I complete my papers on time?  Will I get good marks?  These thoughts haunt me, and sometimes I feel the pressure mounting on me.  But I know ways to ease it too,” said Ms Pillai sharing tips to keep one stress-free during exams.

They are ‘plan your study routine’, ‘take a break and walk which will boost your memory and brain power,’ ‘get enough sleep’, ‘listen to good music or sing your heart out,’ ‘take good food that will keep you healthy,’ and ‘drink plenty of water’.

“Focus on progress and not perfection. Aim to be your best and always remember no one is 100% perfect. Proper time management and consistent studying is the key to success,” she said.

Devadath D. from Class XII of Warwin School of Vaikom says his head has been on turmoil for the past two-three weeks.

“The textbooks kept me quite engaged, and better result is the sole priority. I understand hard work can ensure a promising tomorrow,” he said.

Mekhana B. of Class XII of Wawin School said, “this is the time when we get a lot of advice, a time when we also search google ‘how to study well and how to score good marks’. But the best way to study is in one’s own way and do remember that one adept in anything was once a newbie.”

Gokul Krishna S., Class XII student of the same school, feels students suffer from anxiety even after writing model exams.

George Anand, Class X student of Toc H Public School, Vyttila, says compared to preceding years of schooling he attempted to gulp down concepts faster than he could digest.

“At this point of time, I realised that straining the mind further was pointless. People including me were blinded by the shroud that cracking the board exam meant continuous hours of studying accompanied by zero hours of play-time. This is nothing short of a myth. Those who have not yet started revising, realise there’s still time. Trying one’s hobbies in between can also be an effective stress-buster,” Mr Anand said. “It is the tenth standard board exams which gave me a feeling of responsibility. The overwhelming feeling is that this is the year that makes a man out of you.”

Shalin Mariam Alex, Class XII student of Toc H Public School, does not doubt that the Class XII Board exam decides the future. “This is the time when Physics formulae, Chemical reactions, Accounting principles etc. appear in front of us even in our sleep. The fear of meeting the expectations, thinking about getting admission in the desired college - everything drives students into a state of perplexity. All these years we worked hard to achieve good grades, and finally, it comes down to the Class XII Board Exams. But remember, worrying won’t get us far, while preparations will. Don’t stress. Do your best and forget the rest. Self-belief and hard work always earn success,” she said.