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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