Students fight anxiety before HSC exams, request help from teachers

Students appearing for Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) board examinations have informed colleges and teachers to help them during examination time. Students claimed they want to study in college classrooms, libraries and seek help if they have any last minute queries from teachers present in colleges. Students revealed they prefer studying in the college when examinations are going on rather than studying amidst commotion and disturbance at home. Also, students can seek help from their peers when they study together as most of them do not go to coaching classes for Class XII preparation. Two days before the HSC board examination, there have been over 100 calls made to the board helpline. The state board claimed students are anxious due to the increasing number of attempted suicides, increased academic pressure due to competitive entrance tests like JEE and NEET for engineering and medical courses, and lack of support from parents. Sanathan Bhide, a student said, “I want to score above 70% so that I can seek admission for engineering. Alongside HSC, I have been preparing for my entrance tests.” The state board has informed all members involved in the examination process to help students. A senior official of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, Mumbai division, said, “Students are stressed as the examination process has become tough and there is increasing academic pressure on them. We request parents, teachers and college authorities to help students during this examination time.” While Neha Patel, a Clinical Psychologist, said, “One of the issues most students face is that they start buckling under the pressure of anticipatory anxiety. Along with that, there is peer pressure, parental pressure, fear of the future, the pressure of doing well in examinations. It is important for them to decide at such a time what to prioritise and pay attention to in life. Bringing their attention back to ‘what is’ from ‘what if’ and being mindful makes a huge difference in one’s life.”