The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Set realistic goals to get rid of stress

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Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Set realistic goals to get rid of stress

Afshan Yasmeen

Bangalore: Ragashree Gnanesh, a student of Vidyavardaka College in Malleswaram, is busy preparing for the Common Entrance Test. Her parents want her to take up a course in Aeronautical Engineering and she is striving to fulfil their wish. After writing her PUC examination last month, Ragashree is attending coaching classes twice a day to prepare for the entrance tests. This is a testing time, not just for her but also her parents and teachers, who are constantly trying to motivate her.

This is not a lone case. Almost all students preparing for professional courses are going through similar stress levels. An indication of this is the significant increase in the number of students and parents seeking guidance for examination stress this season.

According to Sahai, a suicide prevention helpline, it is parents who are more worried than their children. Counsellors advice students not to consider examinations a yardstick that makes or mars their future.

“They should just relax and know that this is yet another examination for them. Parents should not be pushy and decide for their children. The children, on their part, should realise that they have so many options before them. We advice parents to plan various options for their children instead of focussing on a single option, and then get depressed if their child is not able to make it,” said Anita Gracias, a volunteer at Sahai.

It is also necessary to let children know about the finances required for the courses. “Keep them informed and consult them before every decision. This will make things easy for both,” Ms. Gracias said.

She advised parents to get their children’s aptitude tested before deciding on the courses. “Every child has a unique talent and will definitely excel in that field. There are several career counselling and aptitude testing centres where the parents can seek help,” she said.

Former Vice-Chancellor of Bangalore University M.S. Thimmappa, who is also a psychologist, held the whole system of education responsible for increasing stress among students. “It is really demoralising for the child to appear for another set of examinations after writing the crucial PUC examination. The whole system has to be revamped,” he maintained.

“During examinations, students face a combination of peer and parental pressure. Students should shun the feeling that their peers are doing extremely well and that they might not be able to make it. Parents should not compare their children with their friends or other students,” he added.

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