Beyond Marks: Helping Students
Thrive in Board Exams
A clarion call for parents, teachers, and learners
to focus on preparation, resilience, and self-belief—not just results.
“With the boards around the corner, the real
question is not whether learners are ready—but how we can improve the guidance,
reassurance, and encouragement we provide, so they face the challenges ahead
with self-belief and resilience.”
Every year, as the CBSE Board examinations for
Grades 10 and 12 approach, tension builds in familiar ways. Classrooms grow
quieter, homes more tense. Some young people seem confident, even relaxed, but
many others are anxious and uncertain. They fear failing, disappointing their
families, or not meeting expectations, sometimes without fully understanding
them.
There is no denying it—achievements matter. They
reflect the effort, preparation, and dedication learners put in, and they play
a role in shaping future opportunities, including college admissions. Yet,
marks should never define a pupil’s worth or overwhelm their poise.
Too often, we hear of learners becoming overwhelmed
by stress, before, during, or after assessments. These stories remind us that
academic pressure, if unchecked, can affect far more than grades. No
examination, no outcome, is worth such a cost.
Which is why this period calls not for panic, but
for perspective.
There is Still Time to Make a
Difference
The good news is that there is still time.
How we use it now can make a real difference. Make every day count, but do it
wisely. Pace yourself, take breaks, and rest when needed. Balanced, consistent
effort now will pay off far more than frantic last-minute work ever could.
Families naturally hope for the best from their
young people, and teachers foster effort and excellence. The boards are never
easy, no matter how prepared learners may be. But when the tension is framed as
guidance rather than criticism, it becomes a source of mentorship. Pupils need
to know they are supported, that their efforts are recognized, and that asking
for help or pausing to reflect strengthens their inner strength.
Looking back at classrooms over the years, I have
seen the same nerves, but today there is also greater resilience and assurance.
Learners who perform well do not necessarily study longer—they study smarter.
They plan, revise strategically, focus on understanding concepts rather than
memorizing blindly, practice past papers, identify weak areas early, and ask
for help when needed. Most importantly, they do not leave everything to the
last minute.
Good learners also protect their routines. They
sleep properly, eat well, and take short breaks. A tired mind cannot perform at
its best, no matter how many hours are spent with a book open.
Smart Study: How to Prepare
Effectively
For young people, here’s how to study effectively:
- Make a realistic study plan and
stick to it.
- Break subjects into manageable
sections, focusing on one topic at a time.
- Revise regularly instead of
cramming.
- Practice writing answers under time
limits.
- Ask questions early; doubt is not
weakness.
- Review mistakes and learn from them.
- Balance effort with rest.
- Focus on understanding, not just
memorizing.
- Stay consistent rather than intense.
- Keep a positive mindset and avoid
unhealthy comparisons.
Understanding Your Learner:
Generation Z in Focus
Families should remember that today’s
learners—Generation Z—study differently. We cannot expect children to learn
exactly as we once did. Some focus best in silence, others with music or
background noise. Some take frequent short breaks to stay alert. Generation Z
has grown up in a fast-paced, technology-rich world, and their expectations for
learning, engagement, and feedback are different from ours. The key is to observe
and understand your child’s learning style and help them find the rhythm
that works. Flexibility encourages engagement, self-assurance, and effective
preparation.
There is a perceptible shift in the mindset of
teachers today, moving away from simply telling learners what to do, toward
guiding, mentoring, and understanding the mental makeup of teens.
Educators now pay more attention to individual needs, offering advice and
reassurance instead of rigid instruction. This shift is vital and bodes well
for the future of education.
For families, this is a time to be anchors, not
amplifiers of anxiety. Encourage without comparing. Support without pressuring.
Listen more than you speak, and let your child know your belief in them does
not depend on a percentage. It’s also common for families and their children
to clash over study routines or expectations during this period. Small
disagreements can quickly escalate if emotions run high. The key is to stay
calm, communicate openly, and focus on understanding each other. Families can
set expectations gently, while learners can explain their approach and needs.
Mutual respect and patience go a long way in reducing tension and keeping
preparation on track.
Schools, Families, and Teachers:
Shaping Success Together
For schools, particularly in the UAE, this is a
chance to celebrate progress. UAE schools are exceptionally well-structured,
with strong academic support, professional guidance, mentoring, and counselling
services. From well-planned curricula to learner-focused approaches and
holistic development programs, the environment is designed not just for
results, but for nurturing resilient, confident young people. Pupils here are
fortunate to have such a foundation, and it is up to all of us—teachers,
families, and schools—to make the most of it.
Boards will end. Results will come. Some learners
will celebrate, others will reflect. Life moves forward—with multiple paths,
second chances, and opportunities that no marksheet can fully predict.
As a senior educator, I have seen the incredible
potential in our pupils—not just in academics, but in their courage,
creativity, and resilience. If we guide them with calm, perspective, and
reassurance, this period can become less about fear and more about growth. True
achievement is not only in the marks students earn, but in the inner strength,
habits, and mindset they carry forward into life.
We are all learning—teachers, families, and learners
alike—but we must continue to strive to do more and do better for our pupils.
Every step we take to mentor, reassure, and inspire them shapes not just their
achievements, but their self-assurance, resilience, and love for learning.
This year, let’s make it different. Let’s answer the
clarion call: guide, reassure, and inspire our young people—so that when the
boards are over, they walk away not just with results, but with belief in
themselves and their future.
Practical takeaway: Organize your time, review steadily, and let each
small effort count. Take things one step at a time, and trust yourself—you are
capable of more than you think. Marks matter, but so does perspective. Your
resilience, curiosity, and sense of humour are what really carry you forward—so
don’t forget to smile between revisions !.
Good wishes to all !
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