Mathematical Sciences Foundation

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2005

CHILAX! ACROSS THE BOARD

REALITY BYTES
The room is full of people solving maths problems… not school kids preparing for the board exams, but college students and professors. Maths is the most feared subject in exams and these volunteers are trying to help students crack tough problems.

Meanwhile, the phones keep ringing. A team of counselors mans these lines. Here's how it goes. "I can't solve the paper on time. How do I increase my speed?" asks a girl appearing for the class X exams. "Attempt sections you find easy; leave the tough ones for the end," advises the counsellor.
A boy appearing for the class XII exam has a query: "Should I prepare chapter-wise or should I solve the sample papers?" The calls continue. "How much time should I devote to each subject?" "There are too many books for reference…."

And it’s not just students who face tension. Here’s the problem of a mother: “My son’s teachers tell me that he’s a bright child but he doesn’t spend enough time on studies and feels irritated when I ask him to study.”
Each call is answered, records are kept of each collar, and callers are encouraged to call again, In case an immediate solution can't be given, callers are requested to call again at a specified time.

ROLE OF HELPLINES
Helplines are getting an average of 100 calls per day. "Last year, we had to take phone calls through the night, while in bed," says Dinesh Singh of MSF. While helplines deal with student stress, peer pressure, time management and sleeplessness, the CBSE helpline goes beyond counseling to answer general queries on admit card and datesheets. "We have a tale-counselling manual for counselors to offer advice." Says Etishree Bhatti. .....DIVYA KHANNA

The DT expert panel: Dinesh Singh, HoD mathematics department, DU, and director, Mathematical Sciences Foundation (helpline); Etishree Bhatti, counsellor, DPS RK Puram and CBSE helpline; Jyoti Uplenchwar, counsellor, Snehi (NGO); Meenakshi Thakkar, counsellor, CBSE helpline; Aloka Bose, counsellor, Birla Vidya Niketan

TIPS FROM COUNSELLORS
Students and parents alike are on the edge of reason. But counsellors say the world doesn't come to a standstill because of the board exams; and even if a student doesn't do well, life will still be normal.

	Dinesh Singh : "Even if you know nothing today, you can be guided to score marks."
	Etishree Bhatti : "Emotional stability is a must. Both parents and children must work on making the family environment conducive to studies."
	Jyoti Uplenchwar : "Understand your biorhythm. Identify which time of the day you concentrate best."
	Meenakshi Thakkar : "The time you have now is very crucial - it will never come back. Give it your 100%."
	Aloka Bose : "Get out of the inertia syndrome: overstretching your studying or resting time. Strike an equilibrium"

TIPS FOR STUDENTS

	Don't fear the board exams
	Take care of your diet. No excess tea/coffee, eat fresh fruits and drink lots of water, take your daily dose of multi-vitamins.
	Get enough sleep: 6-8 hours daily.
	Don't fall into the peer-pressure trap, work according to your own routine and comfort.
	Relax by taking breaks between studying, going out for a walk, listening to music.

I don't know whether I'm prepared enough to answer what is asked. Besides, there's confusion over which books to refer to — teachers tell us to stick to NCERT books, but we're asked to refer to other books in tuition classes. I'm worried I won't be able to solve the entire paper on time.

TIPS FOR PARENTS

	Keep the atmosphere at home completely tension-free.
	Don't nag your child to study.
	Take care of your child's dietary needs.
	Don't compare your child with others.
	Listen patiently to the worries of your children, develop a healthy bond with them.

During exam time, parents have a big role to play. They should be good friends with their children, and not be overbearing, nagging figures. It's important that parents hear out the worries of their kids. Parents should refrain from comparing their children with other kids. Rather, they should build up their kids' confidence. Besides, parents must ensure their kids eat healthy, sleep healthy at exam time. Dinesh Singh, counsellor.

TIPS FOR TEACHER

	Don't exert unnecessary pressure on students.
	Be accessible to students and their problems during exams.
	Have faith in them; ignore their weak points, encourage them by reminding them of their strong points.
	Help students avoid confusion by telling them what textbook to refer to.
	Teach them about time management. Give them a rough time-table.

Teachers must be accessible to students, specially during exams. Since students can only turn to parents or teachers when under pressure, it is our responsibility to be there for them. Also, teachers can bolster confidence through pep talk. Students can be mentally fragile, teachers must tell students to build on their strengths.