The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Winter holidays come as a relief for young minds

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 20, 2006
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Winter holidays come as a relief for young minds

M. Sai Gopal

HYDERABAD: The upcoming winter break can ease out the stress factor that's gripping hundreds of school children in the State capital as they gear up to face the all important end-of-school examinations in a few months from now.

Experts point out that the winter break, new year celebrations and seeing family and friends would go a long way in driving away the newly-coined term `Exam-Ka-Bhoot' syndrome and give much needed respite from exam related stress among children.

S. Shanmukhi, consultant clinical psychologist, department of neurology, NIMS, points out that the holiday season is ideal for self-reflection for students. "When students are pressurised, they don't get motivated. Students should take this winter break as a boon before they gear up for the final countdown," says Mr. Shanmukhi.

Major concerns

With less than a few months left for most of the examinations, including SSC, ICSE and CBSE, many students find themselves weighed down by expectations.

Comparisons and peer pressure are major concerns for students attempting their board exams. Experts point out these concerns bog students down, leading to severe examination stress.

Doctors suggest ways and means for students to utilise this short holiday break purposefully. "Parents are realising that holidays can be used constructively. Learning activity should be balanced with recreation by giving ample opportunity for creativity," according to D. Neeranjan, child psychologist, Niloufer Hospital.

Useful tips

Some of the tips for students given by Dr. D. Neeranjan are practising Yoga, solving puzzles, riddles or Sudoku and good diet, including plenty of water, nuts and citric juices.

Students can also relax by minimum 30 minutes of physical exercise and deep breathing exercise .

Students should avoid coffee, tea, junk food, video games and phone calls. Vijay Sheshadri, psychiatrist, Care hospitals, points out that a good break after reading helps in enhancing the memory.

"The information gets engrained in children's mind for longer duration when he takes rest," says Dr. Sheshadri.

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