The Last Minute Preparations

The countdown to board exams has already begun. Practical exams are going on for CBSE students and for ISC, the clock is already ticking as they face D-day on February 13^. The stress levels are at an all-time high not only among students but also their parents and friends who wish to see them excel. The competitive pattern of after school admission to professional or academic courses is so high that it inevitably leaves the child worried and stressed all through. Some parents also tend to get overtly anxious and may be unintentionally add to the stress of the child.To begin with parents need to be calm and supportive to ease the pressure of the child. Parents, for sure need to stop comparisons of their child to anyone, even their siblings. Children have to be pushed for better performance to be in the rat race of competitions but we, as parents need to de stress children so that they perform better. Board examinations are times of anxiety and stress. So help your child. Encourage him and support emotionally too.

Dear Children, begin each day with faith in yourself.  Be determined to do your best. Do not panic by looking at your friends just because they appear to be better prepared than you.  Keep yourself motivated. Anxiety, fear and nervousness at this juncture would lessen the efficacy of your time.

Smart Work Plan:

• On the basis of your preparation or performance in pre-board exams of the school, rate your readiness to take exam well in all subjects. This will help you prioritize your subjects for study.
• Identify your strengths and weaknesses. Focus on what all you have to do. How much you need to put in every subject?
• Blocks of dedicated study time with breaks will help. It is quality of time rather than the quantity of time that matters, Strike a proper balance between activities of study to keep you engaged for effective learning.
• Remember to do difficult subjects when you are fresh.

Revision Tips:

• NCERT books are a must to go through to clear all concepts and contents to excel in board exams. Success mantra to score 90% for sure is thorough NCERT text revision. Advised to go for reference books later.
• Study Smartly. Keep asking questions to yourself, Reinforce the important points of answering a question. Keep relating to diagrams, flow charts, formulae etc. frequently
• Know yourself well. Think when your brain works the best. Keep these time slots for difficult subjects. Prioritize your work plan. Do difficult subjects or topics first. Change subjects of study as per difficulty and your area of concern.
• Apply right strategy of revision and learning to different subjects. Practice is a must for subjects like mathematics, accounts , numerical problems in physics or chemistry but note making will help in business studies ,history whereas diagrams will help in biology and geography.
• Keep changing revision styles to keep you motivated. While revising, keep on making notes for last minute revision. Keep your class tests or exam papers for quick recapitulation of content learnt.
• Make sure you allocate adequate time for fun and relaxation as well while keeping away from distractions.
• Plan your work and complete it on time. Revise Regularly.

Prep Time:

• Keep your body clock right. Tune yourself to remain active on the study table in the morning hours specifically as per board exam timings. Check your study habits in case you are habitual of studying late night hours. Start sleeping early and study in mornings.
• Writing three hour exam in not only a mental exercise but also a physical fitness of the human systems to be active and alert to yield the best. Therefore setting the body clock tuned to exam timings calls for staying physically fit and healthy. So eat healthy and take adequate rest.
• Monitor your progress by taking mock tests. Sit for three hour test, preferably as per the timings of the board. Writing under exam conditions will help your body clock adjust to board tome and conditions.
• Presentations of your answers matters a lot. Practice papers should be written neatly. Well labeled diagrams to be drawn wherever necessary. Formulae and equations should be explained with symbols used. Remember everyone loves to read the content if it is presented well. You can improve your chances of scoring better.
• Effective Communication is the key to good scoring. Be clear and within the word limit required for all the answers as expected in the questions.
• Time management is very important .Avoid getting stuck on any topic. Keep it aside and take help/attempt later on. Even in examination hall it helps to keep track of time.

Stay Healthy:

`Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.”-Corrie Ten Boom

So wisely said and yet we fail to practice it and use the present constructively for our benefits.

Remember, it’s important to relax. You can perform the best only if your body and mind get adequate rest. Follow a regular sleep pattern

• Prevent mental fatigue, Take regular breaks. Go in for activities that maintain continuity of studies during these breaks also.
• Keep up with your simple exercises that are effective in relieving stress.
• Take care to have meals at proper times and also that are rich in vitamins and proteins. Green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits and sufficient water intake, are a must.

The Power of Positive Thinking:

Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus. Alexander Graham Bell

• Board exam at the moment is your goal. So set your eyes on your targets.
• Concentrate and bring to focus all your thoughts and efforts to achieve your goal.

Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight. –Benjamin Franklin

In the examination hall:

• Read the question paper carefully. Attempt first the ones you know the best and then go to the difficult ones.
• It’s very important to answer all sections systematically without mixing questions from different sections.
• Application based questions may appear to be tricky but they are for sure based on concepts of the subject. Think wisely and act but do not end up giving more time lest you fail to write what you know and you can do.
• Numerical problems should be preferred over theoretical questions as you get full marks in them.
• Time management is essential in the examination hall. Avoid wasting time on trials of unknowns. Keep aside 15 minutes for revision to check errors if any.

Wish you all good luck for the examination!