Pulkit Sharma
Although it is common to experience butterflies in the stomach before any major life event, the run up to the final board examinations proves to be a traumatic phase for many students. Tormented by thoughts of failure and of falling short of expectations, they forget how to relax, smile and live normally. Unsurprisingly, many start suffering from a range of physical and psychological problems. As we now move closer to that time of the year, many children and adolescents are feeling petrified, stressed and depressed. How has a routine, periodic assessment turned into a fearsome monster? Reflect deeply and we realise that this is an outcome of our flawed attitudes at a personal and collective level.
During examinations, youngsters, parents and teachers seem to get emotionally carried away, focussing too much on the moment and turning it into a do or die event. They forget that whatever the result, its consequence to the life of the person will never be too significant or irreversible. Looking back at our academic years, most of us would recall excelling in a few examinations, performing averagely in others and failing miserably on some occasions. Did that ever stop us from progressing in our life, living a meaningful existence and fulfilling our vision?
Youngsters and those putting pressure on them to perform need to look at this bigger picture and ease up. While students must immerse themselves whole-heartedly in their studies, giving too much importance to such routine assessments is not warranted. Never worry about scores because life continues to give everyone multiple opportunities to realise their dreams.
Nowadays, an increasing sense of competitiveness pervades our mind, relationships and society. The need to outperform others, flaunt one’s achievements, and to be the best has spread like an epidemic and children are encouraged to internalize it. They grow up with the irrational belief that in order to live a decent life, they must defeat everyone around them. And that’s why their mind misperceives an innocuous evaluation to be a battleground.
Taoist Lao Tzu teaches us the virtue of non-competition. According to him, the wise ones are those who dream big, love to succeed and put their heart and soul in whatever they do but they do all this in a spirit of play. In a similar vein, students should let examinations help them in their self-growth – preparing their best for the examinations, working hard towards their goals, challenging themselves and overcoming their limitations but doing all this in a fun way, enjoying and relishing each moment. If failure happens, don’t lose hope. Take it as a learning opportunity and try playing better strokes next time.
We rarely encourage youngsters to surrender and feel the connection with the Divine. As a result, they often believe that they are all alone in the world without any consistent support. During stressful times, this makes them feel very anxious and vulnerable. If they were to deepen their trust in the Divine, they will feel reassured, knowing that a powerful and benevolent presence is eternally there to help and guide them. Remember that whatever the outcome, Divine Grace will continue empowering you to evolve and make progress. Therefore, keep your faith, rise above your examination anxieties and breathe freely.
DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in the Article above are Author’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."
Courtesy: Times of India: The Speaking Tree: 06th Feb, 2019
Pulkit Sharma
Although it is common to experience butterflies in the stomach before any major life event, the run up to the final board examinations proves to be a traumatic phase for many students. Tormented by thoughts of failure and of falling short of expectations, they forget how to relax, smile and live normally. Unsurprisingly, many start suffering from a range of physical and psychological problems. As we now move closer to that time of the year, many children and adolescents are feeling petrified, stressed and depressed. How has a routine, periodic assessment turned into a fearsome monster? Reflect deeply and we realise that this is an outcome of our flawed attitudes at a personal and collective level.
During examinations, youngsters, parents and teachers seem to get emotionally carried away, focussing too much on the moment and turning it into a do or die event. They forget that whatever the result, its consequence to the life of the person will never be too significant or irreversible. Looking back at our academic years, most of us would recall excelling in a few examinations, performing averagely in others and failing miserably on some occasions. Did that ever stop us from progressing in our life, living a meaningful existence and fulfilling our vision?
Youngsters and those putting pressure on them to perform need to look at this bigger picture and ease up. While students must immerse themselves whole-heartedly in their studies, giving too much importance to such routine assessments is not warranted. Never worry about scores because life continues to give everyone multiple opportunities to realise their dreams.
Nowadays, an increasing sense of competitiveness pervades our mind, relationships and society. The need to outperform others, flaunt one’s achievements, and to be the best has spread like an epidemic and children are encouraged to internalize it. They grow up with the irrational belief that in order to live a decent life, they must defeat everyone around them. And that’s why their mind misperceives an innocuous evaluation to be a battleground.
Taoist Lao Tzu teaches us the virtue of non-competition. According to him, the wise ones are those who dream big, love to succeed and put their heart and soul in whatever they do but they do all this in a spirit of play. In a similar vein, students should let examinations help them in their self-growth – preparing their best for the examinations, working hard towards their goals, challenging themselves and overcoming their limitations but doing all this in a fun way, enjoying and relishing each moment. If failure happens, don’t lose hope. Take it as a learning opportunity and try playing better strokes next time.
We rarely encourage youngsters to surrender and feel the connection with the Divine. As a result, they often believe that they are all alone in the world without any consistent support. During stressful times, this makes them feel very anxious and vulnerable. If they were to deepen their trust in the Divine, they will feel reassured, knowing that a powerful and benevolent presence is eternally there to help and guide them. Remember that whatever the outcome, Divine Grace will continue empowering you to evolve and make progress. Therefore, keep your faith, rise above your examination anxieties and breathe freely.
DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in the Article above are Author’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."
Courtesy: Times of India: The Speaking Tree: 06th Feb, 2019