#board_exam There is a unique atmosphere surrounding students' board exams. The entire country is on high alert—exam centers, teachers, schools, coaching centers, flying squad teams, parents, and students are all watchful. After a year of guided preparation under the supervision of parents and teachers, students feel both confident and anxious. Teachers are doing everything they can. What can we, as parents, do? 1. Ensure a well-organized environment at home Help students keep their study materials and essentials in order. 2. Provide adequate ventilation and lighting A well-lit, airy space enhances concentration. 3. Maintain peace and quiet Avoid unnecessary conversations that might distract them. 4. Minimize distractions Do not watch TV or use mobile phones loudly in their presence. Remember, these students are navigating a challenging world where superficiality and distractions try to pull them away. Provide them with a close-knit, loving, and respectful environment filled with values like love, respect, sacrifice, tolerance, participation, and kindness—not just for show, but genuinely. Most Important: Nutrition During exams, students are physically less active but mentally highly engaged. Thus, special attention to their diet is crucial. Provide fresh, washed fruits, fresh fruit juices, cucumber, tomatoes, oranges, and grapes. For refreshment, offer roasted fox nuts (makhana), roasted peanuts, gram, and corn. Serve balanced meals with dal, rice, vegetables, roti, salad, and yogurt. Avoid pickles and heavily spiced foods. Breakfast can include cheela, upma, poha, etc. I denied my child's request for potato parathas, explaining that digesting them requires a lot of energy—energy that should be focused on studying right now. Instead, I advised eating roti with leafy vegetables, which are nutritious, easy to digest, and help maintain focus. Sleep: Neither too little nor too much Follow a sleep schedule based on personal study habits. Routine: This is not the time to adopt new habits. Avoid discussing when friends study, sleep, or relax, as such comparisons can cause distractions. Handling Doubts: If a doubt is not urgent, postpone it. For course-related questions, consult teachers or knowledgeable individuals to avoid wasting time and creating confusion. Study Strategy: Make a checklist of topics and mark completed ones. Revise what you know well. Read what you can manage. Skim through difficult topics and move forward. Time Management: Divide the syllabus into time slots and ensure completion within the set timeframe. Practice answering within the time limits. Effective Study Techniques: Solve past years' question papers. Attempt sample papers. Work on important questions. Underline key points in notes. Prepare summaries with sticky notes for easy revision. Answer Sheet Presentation: Your answer sheet reflects your thought process, so keep it clear and well-organized. Read the question paper carefully. Answer easy questions first, followed by known ones, and then attempt difficult ones. Use bullet points for answers. Underline key points. Stick to the word limit. In math, always mention the unit with the final answer. Keep your handwriting neat and legible. If a mistake is made, strike it with a single line and rewrite the answer clearly—avoid overwriting. Label rough work clearly. Allocate time based on question marks and complete within that timeframe. Reserve the last 10 minutes for review and ensure all questions are answered. Mindset: Stay composed and confident. Remember, no mark sheet can define your entire personality. Best wishes to all students for their exams! Dr. Vinay Kumar Jha Founder, Alpha Education Director, Naval’s Academy, Gorakhpur