Now, YouTube videos to manage board exam stress

Screenshot of a video uploaded on YouTube

Stressed about board exams? Take a moment and relax with the help of guided meditation videos on YouTube made available by the state education department to help out students stressed out due to board examinations scheduled to be held a month later. The State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has uploaded the videos on its official YouTube channel. In a first such attempt, it has released stress management videos on the platform.

Focus on 3 themes
The videos are engaging with intriguing animation along with a mix of soothing music and guided activities to manage stress. The pandemic brought a massive change for students, who had to adapt complete online learning. Now, the second wave of COVID-19 infections has increased their stress, with many students and parents opposing the offline mode of exam.

"There are a total of three videos each focusing on a specific theme - first fear, second on concentrating on studies and lastly on confidence and courage building. The topics, most discussed by students around examinations, are chosen by professionals trained to help individuals manage stress," said Vikas Garad, deputy director of SCERT. Currently, instructions are in Marathi and work is on to make the videos available in other languages too, he added.

Offline exams a worry
"There is a major section of students and parents from across Maharashtra who are currently raising their voice against the offline examinations, considering rising cases in the state. Protests have been arranged by many in different parts of the state. Amid all this, our efforts are aimed at easing students' stress," said an official from the education department.

Ajit Lad, a parent from Mulund, said, "It is definitely a good initiative to help students cope with stress around exams. But in the unprecedented conditions that we currently are, this can only be of a little help. Now, worries are more regarding rising infection scare." Another parent, Oliver D'silva from Borivli, said, "Parents are more worried about ensuring that the child is safe from the infection when they go to write their exam. The government should rather keep an open mind and consider other options to conduct exams."