Stress spares none, including students and that too at a very early stage. Students have to deal with peer pressure, extra curricular activities, examinations and much more. Rarely do adults realize the pressure they put their wards through.
With stress come unimaginable health problems too. All this not only tells on the student’s performance but on theirs, their guardians and teacher’s mental state as well. Herein lies the necessity to de - stress.
The Principal of DAV Public School, Minoo Agarwal, says, “We teach our students to de — stress so that they return to their studies more focused on their lessons. We give the kids a choice of ways to de - stress.
They can choose to watch a film, partake in an audio — visual interactive session in the school, and partake in refreshments. After these activities they can concentrate better. In fact, they can even choose to just walk around the campus, play basketball or read before returning to class.
We have fund that they performance in examinations has improved after these de — stressing exercises. And for those students who do not have a congenial study atmosphere at home, we allow them to study in school for a few hours each day.”
Counselors play an important role in these de - stressing programs. Ajith, Principal of Bhavan’s Rajaji School, says, “We have a counseling team that helps students sort out their problems at the right time. Students are troubled by peer pressure more than examination worries.”
Minoo Agarwal adds, “No counselor can be better than a teacher. Every teacher has to play a psychological role apart from regular teaching.
We have instructed teachers to spend a few minutes talking to their students about stressful matters other than their academic lessons during classes. This will ease a student’s tension and enhances the student - teacher relationship.”
Parents understand their children well and help relieve their stress. Uma Rajesh, a young parent says, “I don’t reduce my son, Arjun’s, violin classes even when his exams are round the corner.
He likes playing the violin and attending his violin classes eases his stress. I have observed him studying better after his relaxation time. Just letting them be casual helps them do a better job.”
“Identify the source of the stress and sort it out by staying supportive,” say student counselors.
Counselor Mohana Narayanan says, “If a child is stressed, identify the source of the stress. Most of the time it will be an emotional disturbance. Make him or her understand that seeking help if they are stressed is quite normal.
Just because exams are on the way do not restrict your child from doing anything that he likes. This would increase the examination fear. Stay supportive and explain to them the exact study pattern instead of spending so many hours in the study room!”
