Satya School Director-Principal shares tips to combat stress during Board Exam 2024, Routine to score good marks

In an exclusive conversation with Shiksha.com, Satya School, Gurugram Director Principal Manisha Malhotra talked about her vision for the school, pros and cons of Board Twice a Year, and more. Scroll down to check out some interesting and informative excerpts from the interview. 

Q: Boards are ongoing, how can students combat stress while preparing for the board examination 2024? 

A: That is a pertinent question and it does always feature in conversations prior to board examinations. While a lot has been said about it, I propose a few methods that can help combat most of the stress by dealing with the stress triggers:

1. Students should create a daily schedule with designated study blocks and short breaks. Attempting to be consistent with the schedule will avoid the stress that comes with last minute preparations.
2. Incorporate some form of physical exercise or activity like deep breathing exercises to promote relaxation, release endorphins and reduce anxiety.
3. Encourage students to write out their fears and concerns on paper, followed by discussing them with a trusted adult such as a teacher, counselor, or parent. Open communication helps ease stress.
4. While exams are important, they should be a part of your life and not life itself. Find time to connect with friends and engage in recreational activities to relieve tension and discuss problems.

Most importantly, the students should feel encouraged to seek support from both their teachers and parents when facing challenging topics or managing their schedules. Parents play a crucial role in this journey, as they should maintain realistic expectations and emphasize that effort is just as valuable as outcomes. It's important for parents to assure children of their unwavering support and to convey that success takes many forms. Board exam results are significant, but they are not the sole measure of a student's worth. Encouraging open dialogue about post-board plans, regardless of exam performance, can provide clarity and alleviate stress. Sharing personal experiences can also foster meaningful conversations and help students cope with any perceived pressure. By fostering a supportive environment at home, parents can empower their children to navigate challenges with confidence and resilience.

Q: What type of routine should students follow while preparing for board exams 2024? 

A: It is critical to prioritize the holistic well-being of students during exam preparation. Here is a suggested routine:

1. Personalized Schedule: Encourage students to create a study schedule tailored to their sleep cycles. Some may need assistance from parents or teachers in this regard.
2. Short Breaks: Incorporate short enjoyable breaks into the schedule for activities they love, such as dancing, painting, listening to music, playing sports, socializing with friends, or watching favorite shows. These breaks rejuvenate the mind and prevent burnout.
3. Family Time: Encourage having dinner with family as it serves as a stress buster
4. Effective Study Techniques: Encourage the use of study aids like mind maps, acronyms, and mnemonics to organize and recall information. These techniques enhance understanding and application skills, making learning more efficient.
5. Deep Breathing: Promote deep breathing exercises to energize and calm the mind, aiding concentration and reducing anxiety.
6. Healthy Habits: Emphasize the importance of regular meals and adequate sleep for overall well-being and cognitive function.

By following this routine, students can maintain a healthy balance between study and relaxation, optimizing their preparation for the board exams. As the school community, we are committed to supporting students in achieving academic success while prioritizing their mental and physical well-being.

Q: How to balance preparation for board exams and entrance exams altogether? 

A: To balance preparation for board exams and entrance exams simultaneously, analyze the syllabus to identify common topics and study them in depth. Allocate exclusive time for each, focusing on differences between the two. Prioritize scheduling to ensure effective time management. Generally, preparation for one supports the other.

Q: The Education Ministry has announced Board Exams twice a year. What could be the pros and cons of the same?

A: It’s a positive and a progressive move and should help mitigate stress. It fosters a growth mindset by providing students with a chance to address gaps and improve scores, promoting continual learning. The initiative also allows ample time for preparation for both board and entrance exams, reducing stress. The schools must enhance efforts to ensure proper allocation of resources and effective time management while maintaining uniformity in question paper standards. Looking ahead, offering flexibility for students to split exams, like taking three subjects in one session and the rest in another, could be a progressive step.

Q: Why is an introduction to collaborative learning critical? 

A: Introduction to collaborative learning is critical as it fosters essential skills such as tolerance, self-management, critical thinking, oral communication, and leadership. Through collaboration, students develop bonds, form relationships, and create lasting memories. For instance, during annual day functions, the camaraderie and teamwork among students contribute to the event's success. Integrating collaborative projects into the curriculum allows students to work towards a common goal, preparing them for future workplaces where teamwork is essential for solving complex issues. In the future, solutions will require diverse perspectives and expertise, emphasizing the importance of collaborative problem-solving. By introducing collaborative learning early on, we equip students with the skills necessary for success in both academic and professional settings.

Q: How is the school working towards skill-based learning in line with NCF? 

A: At Satya School, we are committed to aligning with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) by emphasizing skill-based learning. Here are some measures we've implemented:

1. Integration Technology into Curriculum: Starting from Grade IV, we integrate digital skills such as coding, programming, and robotics into the curriculum. Specialized courses in areas like artificial intelligence and data science are offered for middle and senior school students.
2. Cultivating Innovation & Experimentation: We foster a culture of innovation through subjects like 'Innovation,' which includes robotics and computer science, encouraging students to experiment and explore new ideas.
3. Career Counseling and Internships: To help students make informed career choices, we provide career counseling and facilitate internships, promoting practical skill development.
4. Promoting Cultural Exchange: Global exchange programs with schools promote cultural understanding and tolerance among students.
5. Financial Literacy: Basic financial literacy is incorporated into the curriculum from Grade VI onwards, empowering students with essential life skills.
6. Confidence Building and Communication: Regular debates and presentations in classrooms build students' confidence and communication skills.
7. Project-Based Learning: Our approach to learning involves project-based activities, where students collaborate, think critically, and devise solutions to real-world problems within and outside the school community.

Through these initiatives, we aim to equip our students with the necessary skills and competencies to thrive in the dynamic world of the 21st century, in line with the objectives of the NCF.

Q: Many changes are being introduced in school education, what are some of the key trends that will drive the Education sector in 2024?  

A: In 2024, several key trends are set to shape the education sector:

1. Focus on Mental Health and Resilience: Post-pandemic, fostering resilience among students will be paramount. As schools, we need to equip our students with strategies for positive relationships, accepting diversity, being Inclusive, managing stress and setbacks, focus on physical well-being and developing a growth mindset to navigate challenges effectively.
2. Integration of Information Technology (IT): Utilizing data to enhance performance and implementing AI for personalized learning and feedback will become more prevalent. Schools will leverage technology to optimize teaching methodologies and student engagement.
3. Cybersecurity Education: With increasing reliance on online platforms, there will be a heightened focus on cybersecurity. Schools will educate students on staying safe online through games and tools designed to enhance awareness.
4. Immersive Learning with AR and VR: Immersive technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) will revolutionize learning, particularly in subjects like science, geography, and history, providing students with interactive and engaging educational experiences.
5. Gamification of Learning: Gamifying educational content will deepen understanding and application. Teachers will undergo training to effectively integrate gamified learning tools into their curriculum, catering to students' preferences for interactive learning experiences.
6. Blended Learning: Collaborative efforts with other schools, institutions, and experts worldwide will be facilitated through blended learning approaches, enhancing collaboration and access to diverse perspectives.
7. Upskilling through Online Courses: The popularity of short certified online courses will rise, allowing students and adults to upskill and address knowledge gaps independently. This will also spread the message of lifelong learning to thrive in a VUCA world .
8. Emphasis on Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Innovation and entrepreneurship training will be centre stage as the future does not require content alone but creative solutions to tackle complex challenges like climate change and emerging technologies such as blockchain and AI.

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