Q SIR..my son, who is studying in std. 6, is very good in academics. yet, he has exam phoebia. what should i do? i`ve asked many people who i know, but didn`t get proper reply for this. both of us are not forcing him to get cent percent marks in all subjects. pls. help me in this regard.
A Dear Student... ‘Phobia’ is a strong word. It is possible that he is merely anxious before an examination. Since your son is a good student, you need to check on the following:
1. Do you as a parent expect too much from him? Parental pressure can be claustrophobic and devastating.
2. Since he is academically bright, do his teachers or other adults in his life demand constant excellence from him?
3. What is his peer group like? Is it a highly achieving and unreasonably competitive one.
4. Is he the eldest or only child? Again expectations can be very demanding of him.
If your answer is ‘Yes’ to these questions, your solution lies in tackling these areas:
You need to get your son to express his fears to you and you need to be patient with him. It would be a good idea for him to affirm faith in himself. E.g. ‘I am prepared’, ‘I will do my best’, ‘I am relaxed.’
Breathing and relaxation techniques for about 15 minutes before he gets into what is obviously a stressful situation will help. Most importantly, encourage him to take part in some physical activity as well. Help him to deal with his academics as part of holistic development. He is only in Std. 6 and he has many years of study ahead.
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 7, 2013, 08:35