Exams are among one of the most stressful events in the life of a student. This is especially stressful when competitive exams like NEET can be a life-changing event for them. Every student who aspires to become a doctor must write the NEET exam to secure a seat in one of the top medical colleges in India. However, the road to success, like most others is bumpy and can lead to stress, pressure, and anxiety. Some students thrive under pressure, and work harder, whereas for some students the stress and expectations can be overbearing.
If your child is
preparing for the NEET exam, it is natural for them to be stressed out owing to
the vast syllabus and expectations. Most of the time
is spent at school, tuitions and coaching classes. To top it further, most students are required
to travel a lot to their coaching centers and tuitions.
This can lead to frustration, tiredness, and stress. However, students can
study from home through NEET video lectures on platforms like
Aakash iTutor. Using NEET video lectures can save time, and allow students to
work at their own pace.
Here are common signs of stress that can help you identify if your child is stressed out:
Here are common signs of stress that can help you identify if your child is stressed out:
§ Anxiety
§ Change in appetite
§ Becoming withdrawn and isolation
themselves
§ Depression
§ Headaches
§ Irritable and Restless
§ Loss of concentration and focus
§ Frustration and anger
Here’s how you can help your child if they are stressed out:
Here’s how you can help your child if they are stressed out:
Offer Your Support
If you are worried about your child being stressed
out due to examination pressure, offer them your support and reassurance.
Encourage your child to open up and share what they are going through in their life. It is imperative to talk
to your child about their daily lives,
and not just studies. Ask them if they are worried about not living up to their
expectations, or they are anxious about
not completing the syllabus on time. If your child is bottling up their stress,
it is best to help them let it out. The more it stays inside, the worse it is
for their well-being. It is also likely that they are stressed out because of
something outside studies.
Coping Mechanisms
Stress is a
frequent problem, and it might seem like your child is stuck between stress due to varying factors. However, there are solutions. In psychology, coping means
to invest your conscious effort to solve personal and interpersonal problems.
It is done to minimize or tolerate stress and mental conflict. Some coping
mechanisms like breathing exercises, meditation, working out and more can be
beneficial in curbing down stress. Exercising, working
out, or playing a sport
is especially beneficial for examination stress. These mechanisms help
in distracting students by changing their focus. When students invest their
time in a sport, it enables them to
channel frustration and anger. If your child is feeling restless, yoga is
extremely beneficial for their well-being.
Balanced Diet
It has been
stressed enough by doctors, that a balanced diet is vital for the physical and
mental welfare of children. High-fat
food, sugary drinks, and caffeine can
make children irritable and moody. It is imperative to limit the intake of junk
food, and instead switch it with healthy food habits.
Enough Sleep
Proper and complete
REM sleep cycles will make your child more active the next day. Sleep is as
important as eating, and making sure your child is not overworking themselves
is your job. Proper sleep improves memory
and is known to sharpen attention levels. Consolidated sleep is essential for
memory, and is effective in improving the concentration and performance.
Recreation
Recreation
Time may be a
luxury when your child is neck deep into studies
and preparing for competitive exams. However, recreation
can make a student productive, and it can
breathe a new life into them. Taking breaks is essential
when one is preparing for competitive studies. Encourage your child to take
breaks and let them go outside in the open. A change of scenery can be
advantageous and is highly recommended.
Alternatively, you should also take your
child out for dinner, or a movie
occasionally.
Exams can be a
challenging part of a student’s life, and stress can be counterproductive to
their preparation. The points mentioned above can help students in overcoming stress. However, parents must ensure that their
kids are not over-stressed and that their
expectations are not unreasonable.
