Board exams are already known to create stress and anxiety among students and their parents. This year, the pressure has doubled due to COVID-19 situation. While lockdown norms have been eased out across the country, the pandemic is not over yet. The schools still remain shut and there is uncertainty over how and when they would resume. Lakhs of students are still awaiting status update on 2019-20 board exams.
In such a scenario, students appearing for 2020-21 board exams are also beside themselves with worry about their future. Well, as a parent, you need to reassure your children that they are not alone in this situation. Everybody is in the same boat. The education board authorities and the academic fraternity are working towards creating a viable solution.
In the meanwhile, students need to focus on 2020-21 board exam preparation and make the best use of the current situation. Here are some study tips to boost their morale:
Take Online School Classes Seriously
Make sure your children don’t miss online school classes. If they are unable to attend due to technical glitches or any other reason, ask them to follow-up with their classmates or teachers for class notes on the same day. Do not let them have ‘will cover up later’ mentality. Schools are unlikely to start the syllabus from scratch after they re-open, given the time sensitivity.
Enrol in Online Coaching Classes
Has the school not commenced the online classes yet? Does your child need additional help/study material to supplement class studies? Then, you can consider enrolling your child in an online coaching academy or hire a private home tutor. This will give confidence to the child that s/he is on track with studies.
Browse through online coaching class recommendations on Kidwise here.
Draw up a Self-Study Plan
Being at home 24/7 might be getting on your child’s nerves, but the good side is that there are more hours to study. They are saving time on school commuting and other outdoor activities. Let them utilize this extra time to self-study to avoid stress later. During the self-study time, they can revise the syllabus covered in the class, read the next chapters, take up mock tests, etc.
Stay Updated with Academic News
The HRD ministry and education boards keep making important announcements or posting circulars regarding the syllabus, e-learning resources and other useful information. Staying abreast with the news will help students to keep track of the latest developments about board exam studies.
Stay Healthy and Fit
Being homebound can tempt your children to indulge in a lethargic and unhealthy lifestyle. This may adversely affect their physical well-being. They may lose a few days of studies if they fall sick. They should sleep 7-8 hours, spend half an hour daily on some form of physical exercise and consume a well-balanced, nourishing diet.
Stay Away from Social Media
With no face-to-face social interaction, your children have turned to social networking apps to hang out virtually with friends, engage in mindless browsing or play online games. This is wastage of time. They should not take more than 5-10 minutes of social media breaks two or three times a day, other than online classes or for any other academic purpose.
These are tough and uncertain times for everyone. The above-mentioned tips will help students appearing for board exams next year navigate through this period and continue their learning without a pause.
Fingers crossed. Praying that covid gets over before next year board exams. Students and their parents must be under so much stress.
Online classes and self-study are the norm for the next few months for board students. Useful tips.
Much-needed information for board students going through a period of anxiety and uncertainty.
Great tips Smita. My nephew will be appearing for his class 10 boards this year. We all are sure tensed with schools being shut.