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Counselling programme begins

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Feb. 18. "How to overcome exam blues", a counselling programme for school students, began at the Kendriya Vidyalaya, Aakulam, here on Tuesday.

The programme is being conducted as part of the Newspaper in Education Project of The Hindu-Young World. Counsellors from the Centre of Psychological Services led the sessions.

Introducing the programme, Aravind Thampi, psychologist, told the participants that the key to overcoming exam blues lay in planning a regular and systematic study pattern. "An organised person is an empowered person. Set realistic goals — this motivates you and instils in you a sense of being in control.''

Stress signs needed to be monitored, Dr. Thampi said. "Reach out to family and friends, and if the situation is out of control, seek professional help. Parental pressure adds to academic stress. The problem can be solved to an extent if the communication between parents and students is improved. Both sides should take the initiative for this. Students should bear in mind that comparisons are odious. Learning skills vary from person to person. Hence, no student should compare himself with the other and tie himself in knots.''

Dr. Thampi pointed out that short and regular study periods were found to be more effective than a single long session. "Your concentration has limits. So achieve the most when your level of concentration is high. Good sleep and proper eating habits too improve one's learning skills. Eat a lot of salads. Avoid stimulants such as coffee or cola — caffeine confuses your thinking,'' he told the participants.

Individual counselling was held later. A follow-up session was being planned.

The counselling programme would also be held at the M.G.M. School, Varkala (February 19), Kendriya Vidyalaya, Pallipuram (February 20), and the NSS School, Perunthanni (February 21).

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