Students presently answering their SSCE board exams will
sit for their last paper on Monday. But anyone who had been in
their shoes will know that the stress that builds up during the
preparatory period and gains momentum during the exams,
eases only after one steps out of the exam hall. And this stress
is not limited to just the students; their families too are put
through the wringer as they share in the anxiety.
Reuben Paul, a student of Our Lady of Grace High School,
Bicholim is one of the lot answering their board exams. His
father, Robinson, says, “Reuben has been excited about
answering his board exams. He was a bit disappointed with
the Maths paper as he was hoping to score at least 75 per
cent, but he now feels that the paper was lengthy. Right from
the prelims, he has been confident about
answering his exams. He studies by himself
and has cut down his entertainment by 90
per cent. Though he does make time to read
the newspaper every day.”
Reuben, who enjoys playing the drums
(which are getting a rest thanks to the
exams), has set a timetable for his studies.
He wakes up in the morning and goes for
mass. Once back home, he says his prayers
before leaving the house. “We were nervous
for Reuben but his confidence is very
reassuring. He doesn’t need to be told how
to study. The only advice we give him is to
leave every paper he has finished behind;
mulling over what he might have missed
will not benefit him. I think the stress we go
through as parents of SSCE students is more
than the stress we went through as students
ourselves. Everything is so much more
competitive now and the challenges have
increased drastically,” adds Robinson.
Rossma Serrao from Divar has to travel
from Our Lady of Divar School, Divar to her
centre in Marcel. Her mother, Margaret is rather surprised by
her daughter’s calm approach. “She is very cool about the
exams even though we are worked up. She’s the one who has
to tell us not to take tension. Her bedroom is stacked with
her books and she studies by herself. She understands the
importance of a good percentage and is keen on pursuing the
science stream,” says Margaret. Rossma plays the violin and
even a day before the first paper, she went for her music class.
“The TV room is shut because we don’t want her to get
tempted to watch TV and she hardly uses our mobile phones.
She started preparing for her papers well in advance and all
we expect her to do is to give it her best,” explains Margaret.
Maria Martins from Soccorro has been helping her niece,
Switzel D’Souza, a student of Holy Family High School,
Porvorim, to complete her revision before every paper.
“Switzel is a smart girl and she only needs a little time to clear
her mind before the paper. She has been studying and going
through all her textbooks, notes and preparatory guides. Once
home after answering a paper, she has lunch and sits with her
books and then
at around 6pm
she takes a break.
Once I return from
work, she shows
me what she
has studied and
then I take up her
studies. Bryan, my
nephew, is very
good in Maths
and he used to
help her in solving
difficult problems.
She breezed
through English
and French and is
now gearing up
for the rest,” Maria
explains.
To help Switzel
concentrate
on her studies,
the Martins
household,
including her
grandparents,
have shut down
the TV and music
in the house. “It
is just for a few
days but it will help her in the long run. There is a lot of stress
for the entire family and even though all of my siblings have
answered board exams, we are more tensed about her exams,”
says Maria.
