Ahead of HSC exams, phones ringing at mental health experts

MUMBAI: Ahead of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams which will begin on Thursday, mental health experts in the city have been receiving a large number of students who are dealing with anxiety and fear. The board's helpline too has been receiving over 100 phone calls from across the state. Schools are also holding sessions with parents and students to ensure they are at ease in the last days of the run up to the board exams.

The most common concern for most students is the fear of blacking out during the exam. “Students are worried that they will not remember all that they have studied in the past year. We are asking them to relax and unwind before the exam so that the stress doesn’t take over. We have also seen a few extreme cases of anxiety, sleep paralysis and stress as well,” said clinical psychologist, Seema Hingorrany.

The state board appointed counsellors too, have seen between 10 to 40 calls each day from anxious students and parents. “Students want to know tips on how to remember the syllabus and not have trouble on the day of the exam. Students who are preparing for other competitive exams like the JEE and NEET are stressed about juggling the two exams,” said Anuradha Mohite, a counsellor from Pune. She said that most of the calls she received are from the small towns in the state. Counsellor Gopal Bhagat said parents have been calling too. “We are advising parents to support their children emotionally and not add to their stress about the examinations and the marks they will secure,” he said.

Schools in the city are grappling with how to not let news of student suicides affect other students. “On Sunday, a very bright girl from our school committed suicide and the rest of the 450 students are discussing only about that. We have been conducting so many counselling sessions for the students and parents but it still doesn’t seem enough. Parents must look after the children and not leave them unmonitored, especially this close to the exams,” said a school principal from the western suburbs.

Over 3.35 lakh students will appear for the HSC examinations in the Mumbai division which includes Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and Palghar districts. Across the state close to 15 lakh students will appear for the exam. Other exams which are round the corner are CBSE class X and XII, ICSE and ISC and SSC.

Students appearing for the HSC exam in Mumbai: 3.35 lakh
HSC centres in Mumbai: 592
State board's counselling helplines for Mumbai division (8 am to 8 pm)
9322527076, 9819016270, 986787623, 9423947266, 9869634765, 9967329370, 7506302353, 9969038020, 9869307657

Exam advisory

How parents can help?

-- Your child is already feeling the exam pressure. Don’t aggravate it

-- Stop making board exams the central topic of discussion at home

-- Help your child with drawing up a schedule for revision or practicing exam papers

-- Switch off all the distractions at home

-- Ensure that the child gets at least 6-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep

-- Stock up healthy food options at home

Watch out for signs of breakdown:

-- Frequent emotional outbursts or breakdowns

-- Constant display of anger or irritability

-- Lack of sleep and concentration

-- Loss of appetite

-- Frequent headache or stomachache

Common concerns among examinees

Students often ask what they must do if they forget what they have learnt

They need tips and tricks for last minute preparation help

Students also ask counsellors to speak to their parents and tell them not to pressurize the students

How to stay away from their mobile phones