As March approaches the whole social dynamics changes for all the families who have their children in the board classes. Though gradual changes are observed from October on wards full social impact is observed in March. Parents do not RSVP for various family get-togethers; there are fewer new releases, and social events catering to the young crowd are rescheduled. Many stage performers consider March as their break time. Well, the whole nation is gripped in what is called ‘board exams fever’ in March.
High school is the best time of one’s life. Friends, teachers, first crush, cultural and sports activities — there is so much to cherish about. Even if there are bad memories, one cannot forget school in a lifetime.
But before the students have the luxury of mourning the loss of friends, there remains the task of taming that bull, euphemistically called — the Class 10 and 12 Board exams — one of the important examinations in the life of any high school student. While it is scary to be stepping out of school, scarier is the idea of having to stay back.
It’s not only about failures, the fear associated with exams brings to the fore questions like:
-what if, I do not score well
-what if I disappoint my parents
-what if I do not meet the percentage criteria to sit in a competitive examination of my choice etc. etc?
So much of the future hinges on the board score that it becomes all-consuming unless managed well, and mental turmoil manifests in physical ailments like headaches, restlessness, nausea, anxiety etc. for both the students and their parents.
The parents too, have their anxiety when they believe that their parenting skills will be judged by their wards’ results in the boards.
A lot of families in Malibu have their wards appearing in board exams this year. My friend, Sangita spoke to Shlok Kapoor – a student for 10 grade CBSE board exams, studying at Heritage Xperential School. As per him, he feels, “Yes! CBSE board exams are really important but one should relax. If one religiously prepares throughout the year then the board exams or normal school exams are both the same, it is just the school and style of question paper changes. So one should eat well, sleep well and see board exams as stepping stones to climb the next academic journey. I wish luck to all the students”. This is one chilled-out response but his dad Anurag Kapoor who has both his sons doing the boards – class 12 and 10 this year, is not so chilled about boards. When he was asked about his plight, he said, “Mam, war is on both fronts ! China bhi aur Pakistan bhi !”. We truly sympathise with him.
We wish good luck to all the students who are due to take their board exams this year and wish that their parents manage their anxiety well. Picture Credit: NDTV
