Reaching out to students and their parents with tips on exam stress management, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently suggested that celebrating exams as festive occasions would help to create a happy atmosphere enabling students to relax and perform their best.
"More smiles mean more marks. Treat your exams as a festival, " he said at his Maan Ki Baat programme. While education counselors feel it is sound advise, some say that taking exams extremely casually is also not a good thing.
" Yes stress should be minimised and parents should see to it that they don't over pressurize their wards with high expectations etc. But be mindful that you don't take things very lightly either. There is a thin line between being over - stressed and under - stressed. Avoid both extremities, " said student counselor Ritika Ahuja.
It's no big deal, but it's a deal alright: child psychologists
It's a great thing to saunter into the examination hall without feeling performance anxiety. But that doesn't mean you party the night before and take the exam just because you have to. What the PM meant is to not be over stressed.
Jitender Nagar, child psychologist Mumbai
If performance anxiety doesn't yield great results, nor does taking exams casually. I won't say it is a festive occasion and you should party hard during and after it, but yes don't take as a do or die situation. Life will give you more opportunities to prove your mettle.
Prof Danish Sethi, child therapist.
Relaxation is a must. But how much is too much?
I don't stop my son from watching a game of 20-20 cricket on TV during his exams. But if he wants to hang around with friends on the night before, that would be a no! I haven't spoken to any counselor but I think it is equally important to create a serious atmosphere at home prior to the exams.
Adarsh Senapati, father of a 14 year old.
My daughter is appearing for her 10th exam and she is a regular student, so I don't have to worry about how much she scores. But I feel it is essential to maintain a semi-serious ambience around her. Like calling relatives over for a night stay or for a meal just a night before her exams, is not done. I don't think this is making her over-anxious. It is just helping her to concentrate better.
Shilpi Mahajan, mother of a 16 year old daughter.
Let's not shy away from the fact that grades ultimately matter. So, let's not kid ourselves that this is a festive occasion and a big party. I agree that making our kids over anxious is not healthy too. But they have to be taught to take exams and results seriously. That's the only way to move up in life.
Shishir Goeka, Chennai
It's not a festival, nor is it the end of the world
It is essential for students to take exams seriously but not so much that they fret over it. A healthy atmosphere at home goes a long way in preparing students better.
Shriya Ghosh, class IX, APCC, Kolkata
Yes we know it is not the end of the world for us, but let's not believe that exams are no big deal. Taking things too casually could end us all in a soup.
Aditi goel, class X, Bal Bharti School
I agree that exams should be treated as a festive occasion because otherwise students give too much importance to it. If you are a regular student who has dedicated sometime towards her work each day, then there can be no exam stress. Just go in there and enjoy the test. I have been doing that for the past 4 years and it has always worked in my favour.
Ritvik Singh, class XI, St Mary's Public School
Do You Think It's A Good Idea To Treat Exams As An Occasion? Is Over Anxiety Better Option?