The Hindu : Stay focussed, students told

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 30, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

Stay focussed, students told

By Our Staff Reporter

Bangalore Nov. 29. Do your best, stay focussed, and think positively: this was the message that high school students were given by Fabian Almeida, a Mumbai-based psychiatrist, counsellor, and motivator here today.

He was speaking at a workshop organised by The Hindu newspaper at New Horizon English High School as part of its Newspaper in Education (NIE) programme for schools. Dr. Almeida focused on "Performance, Better Parenting, and Class Control" at the workshop for students of eighth, ninth, and tenth standards, parents of the students, and NIE teacher-coordinators.

High school students were asked to dream of a better performance in the tenth standard examinations and keep in mind a percentage of marks towards which the students could aspire for.

"Try to find a role model who will inspire you to do better in the exams," he advised the students.

To help the students improve their study techniques, Dr. Almeida demonstrated the `RUPEE method', which stands for Read, Understand, Picturise, Enhance, and Encode.

"Balance out your time between studies and other activities like eating, sleeping, relaxing, and your hobbies. Think positively without getting stressed out," he told the students. The session was interspersed with songs to help the children understand the concepts better.

Conducting the session for teachers, Dr. Almeida discussed the problems faced by students and said the teachers could solve them by recognising why the students were getting bored and how to tackle their problem behaviour.

He advised them to never make a student feel guilty or ashamed, or lower the child's self-esteem. Giving positive reinforcement would help boost the child's spirits. Adopt assertiveness skills and skills such as personality development, decision making, conflict control, leadership skills, and time management, he added.

Speaking to parents on the topic of better parenting, Dr. Almeida said the three factors significant to a child's development were the child, the parents, and the teacher. Both the father and the mother should both strive equally to give their very best inputs to help the child make his own decisions. The parents should help the child make decisions based on realistic expectations and not pressure the child as it would lead to stress and anxiety. "Know your child's strengths and weaknesses and assure him/her you will give of your best," Dr. Almeida said.

Vatsala Rajamani, Principal of New Horizon English High School, was present at the workshop. Around 250 children from 10 schools took part in the session for students.

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