The final bell

Mona

Come February and there is this young club that comes into inception. The 4 amers. Their characteristics - at the crack of the dawn, they call a cab if their elder brothers are not willing to give them a ride, and, hop and there they are at a friend’s place and sit together to study.

Much to the chagrin of parents who wake up at the crack of the dawn to usher in these enthusiastic kids and get going for they are also the ones to provide refreshments at frequent intervals. Now, which parent has the heart to sleep on when their children walk the extra mile (literally) to wake up at four and sit together for group study sessions?

For Prathav Guleria, friends come first when the motivation dips. Preparing for class XII boards, long hours is what he finds tough to sail through. So, handy come in friends. “Morning is the time when we are at our best, so we get together at one’s place and pull long shifts,” shares this boy who shyly also admits that delectable breakfasts and endless cups of coffee too serve as a good motivator.

Indian parents infamous for pushing kids to get marks and degrading their own wards by constantly comparing to others are still a reality and if you fall in that bracket consciously or unconsciously, here are dos and don’ts for you so that your ward puts his/her best foot forward in the exams.

Food, sleep and not piling on stress – is the three-way approach that one needs to take. Dr Roopali Virk warns one against detaining kids home and forcing them to study long hours. “Most kids these days are regular with their studies. The best approach is to let them follow a balanced schedule that equally divides study, sports and sleep.”

The schedule taken care of, food is another major specific that plays an important role in overall performance. “Stick to nutritious diet, light dal- chawal, roti-sabji and if must have junk restrict it to day time,” offers Bindiya, mother to a 15-year old who looks up recipes online to present regular sabjis with a twist.

To keep kids company is Usha’s mantra. “All said and done, children are children. I oversee it all without being intrusive if my child has revised the entire syllabus. I even sit to keep company.” Even if you are not too well versed with a topic, at least know the very basic is her guideline to kids.

“If you see the child sleeping, eating too much or coming to you frequently but not speaking, should be read as the alarm signs,” shares Dr Roopali, “If you notice any such signs or something divergent from routine, take your child out for a walk, initiate a conversation, give a pep talk for in such competitive times stress is more common than expected.”

Anupma Chopra, a teacher for last three decades and mother to two grown-ups, advises to keep assuring your children that you are with them, “I often see students and their parents stressing too much over 100 per cent performances. Marks are not an indicator of your child’s worth. Tell them loud and clear that you have seen them put in hours and it’s working hard and not ultimate result that you care about!”

mona@tribunemail.com