These days, Konkor students are engaged in two simultaneous battles; A battle with questions and tests and another battle with anxiety, fatigue and mental worries. Therefore, the more candidates can turn their attention away from the sidelines and focus on the main goals, the more chances they will have to effectively use the remaining opportunity. In such a situation, Zarekish advises students not to get involved in the news as much as possible in the remaining days and focus on their course and study program.
“Constantly following the news, especially in the current situation, can disrupt their focus,” he adds. It is better to follow only the official announcements of the measurement organization through the website of this organization and adjust your decisions based on the official announcements. Also, families can provide essential news to their children so that there is no need for students to continuously follow the news.”
Of course, in the meantime, proper stress management is as important as lesson planning and academic preparation. Leila Karimifarshi, a psychologist, also told JamJam: “If the level of stress among teenagers is so high that it is accompanied by symptoms such as sweating palms, heart palpitations, severe depression or sleep disturbances, it is better for families to discuss the issue with a psychologist.” “Even receiving telephone counseling and using expert guidance can be effective in controlling this situation.”
Don’t forget to have fun
The pressure of studying intensively in the final weeks of the exam sometimes brings students to a point where they no longer need a lesson but a chance to calm their mind. However, not every type of entertainment necessarily helps to reduce stress. Referring to the importance of keeping the mental peace of the volunteers, Karimi Farshi says: “Watching movies and series that engage students’ minds with many questions and intellectual challenges is not recommended at this point. “It is better for them to go to entertaining programs in their free time so that the mental pressure caused by lessons and exams will be reduced to some extent.”
This psychologist continues by stating that choosing the type of entertainment in these days before the entrance exam is very important: “This also applies to computer games. “Students should stay away from games that create mental tension or lead to mental fatigue and spend their time on activities that help them relax and renew their mental energy.”
He also emphasizes about the use of social networks and virtual space: “Excessive presence in the virtual space can lead to an increase in mental preoccupations and dispersion of students’ concentration. For this reason, it is better for volunteers to manage the use of social networks these days and take advantage of the recreational and entertaining aspects of this space.”
A house away from tension
Perhaps success in the entrance exam is not only dependent on books and hours of study; Sometimes the calmness of the home environment and family support play a much more important role in maintaining students’ concentration. Yusuf Zarekish, a researcher of higher education, also states: “In this situation, families also play a very important role. Parents should try to keep their children calm and not allow the home atmosphere to become tense for students. They should encourage their children to stay focused on their studies. Anyway, whatever decision is made about the entrance exam, it will be the same for all candidates; Both the date and conditions of the exam are common to everyone. Therefore, it is better for students to calmly continue their journey and focus on their work and efforts.”
Prepare for all eventualities
Any change in the process of holding the national exam requires careful forecasting and alternative plans. Programs that will face the candidates with the least amount of ambiguity and worry considering the current conditions of the country. As Yusuf Zarekish explains in this regard; Education policy makers and executives should plan for different scenarios from now on. At least two or three alternative plans should be provided for contingencies; So that if the situation changes, there is a clear path for decision making. The most important thing is that volunteers and families do not remain in uncertainty. Because the continuation of uncertainty leads to the loss of the academic year and their mental exhaustion. On the other hand, if this situation goes on for a long time, some of the candidates may decide to postpone the entrance exam until next year.
