Making examinations less stressful for the students

Till some years ago, I remember waking up to the occasional dream featuring an upcoming exam that I wasn't adequately prepared for, or even worse, that somehow, I had studied for the wrong subject.

- Jayant Chaudhary

Till some years ago, I remember waking up to the occasional dream featuring an upcoming exam that I wasn't adequately prepared for, or even worse, that somehow, I had studied for the wrong subject. It is a fairly common dream and is believed to reflect some anxiety that we may be experiencing. Experiencing this particular manifestation of stress is at complete odds with my basic nature as I try to not be anxious even in the most trying circumstances. In fact, I remember going with a friend to see Jurassic Park on the eve of an exam as I thought I was adequately prepared. As the father of two teenage girls, one in Class 9 and the other in Class II, I am not pacing in the corridors awaiting their exam results either. Don't get me wrong, I care deeply about the quality of their education and understand that the assessment process is designed to highlight learning outcomes. It's just that I realised that my role as a parent to school-going children isn't to be my children's personal stress amplifier.