Dr Yasir Hassan Rather
Assistant Professor,
Department of Psychiatry,
Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences
Govt. Medical College , Srinagar ,
Exams are considered a criteria of a student’s hardwork, intellect and dedication. When viewed on these parameters, exams
and academic performance tend to bring immense stress to students. This performance is not about passing the exams, in our culture it’s based on scoring the maximum, scoring better than others around. When students do not perform as well as they are expected to, it can lead to feelings of disappointment, frustration, anger and these feelings intensify once everyone asks them about marks and questions them about their hardwork that they have done.
The approach of how examination and marks are viewed belittles everything that the child might have done during his study hours: sacrificing play time, not sleeping properly, sacrificing his needs, isolating himself, dedicating a lot of time only to studies.
When the result is out and it is not upto the subjective mark of performance, it brings a lot of changes in the student, it affects his confidence level, his self esteem, his mood, future plans and overall well being.
In this current scenario of being perfectionist about academics, parents and teachers can help the child to be not so perfect and accept that marks are not a criteria of intellect or their hardwork.
Parents and teachers need to first educate children about healthy pressure and unhealthy pressure and often reinforce that marks are not a parameter to be judged on.
They need to be supportive and understanding. When a student is disappointed with their academic performance, it is important for parents and teachers to be supportive and understanding. Avoid making negative judgments or criticizing the student. Instead, focus on providing emotional support and helping the student to understand that everyone experiences setbacks from time to time.
Helping the student to identify the cause of the disappointment. Once the student has had some time to cool off, it can be helpful to help them to identify the cause of their disappointment. This could be due to a number of factors, such as not studying enough, not understanding the material, or being overwhelmed by the workload. Once the cause of the disappointment has been identified, it can be easier to develop a plan to improve the student’s academic performance in the future.
Encouraging the student to take breaks. When students are feeling stressed, it is important for them to take breaks. This could involve taking some time for exercise, relaxation, or spending time with friends and family. Taking breaks can help students to clear their heads and come back to their studies refreshed and motivated.
Helping the student to develop a positive attitude. A positive attitude can go a long way in helping students to cope with exams or academic disappointment. Encourage the student to focus on their strengths and to believe in their ability to succeed. Remind them that everyone makes mistakes and that it is important to learn from them.
Stop giving examples all the time. Comparisons can be unhealthy as it increases anxiety in children. We need to reinforce that children should become the better version of themselves rather than becoming like others.
By following these tips, parents and teachers can help students to cope with exams or academic disappointment and to develop a positive attitude towards learning.
In home setting parents need to reinforce these as they reinforce moral values:
Setting realistic expectations. It is important for parents to set realistic expectations for their children’s academic performance. This will help to avoid disappointment and frustration.
Providing a positive learning environment. A positive learning environment at home can help to boost a child’s academic confidence. Make sure that there is a quiet place for your child to study and that they have access to the resources they need.
Encouraging your child to ask for help when they need it. Don’t be afraid to help your child with their studies, but also encourage them to ask for help from their teachers or other adults.
Be patient and understanding. Learning takes time and effort. Be patient with your child and don’t get discouraged if they don’t see immediate results.
In school teachers need to non judgmentally and empathically work on:
Creating a supportive and encouraging classroom environment. Students are more likely to succeed when they feel supported and encouraged by their teachers.
Be clear about your expectations. Make sure that students know what is expected of them in terms of their academic performance.
Providing regular feedback. Provide students with regular feedback on their work so that they can track their progress and make adjustments as needed.
Being flexible. Not all students learn in the same way. Be flexible in your teaching methods and be willing to adapt to the needs of your students.
Celebrating success. When students succeed, be sure to celebrate their achievements. This will help to boost their confidence and motivation.
