Exams and Expectations: A Call for Balanced Parenting

Long, unkempt hair, dense beards, long nails, and shabby uniforms—this was the scene in the examination hall on the first day of the Class XII Board exams. I was one of the invigilators, trying to understand the thoughts and emotions running through each student’s mind.

Was it the eagerness to tackle the exam, or the overwhelming pressure that weighed on them as they entered the hall? Many faces were pale with nervousness, as if they hadn’t even had breakfast. As they walked in, their eyes reflected uncertainty, unsure of where to sit. Once seated, their next concern was filling out the OMR sheet, a task they had to complete within a limited time.

Some made errors while filling it out, their tension building as they awaited the distribution of the question papers. Finally, amidst all the stress, pressure, and anxiety, the examination began.

Three long hours of pen and paper—writing, writing, and writing without even lifting their heads. And then, finally, it was over.

“Yay! The exam is finished!”

“How did it go?” was the most common question heard in the corridors as students left the hall.

“Oh no! I couldn’t finish all the parts of Section B; it was so long,” one student lamented, almost in tears. Friends gathered around, consoling and suggesting ways to make up for it in the next exam.

How many times, I wondered, did these young minds experience stress during those three hours? Unfortunately, this is the reality for every exam.

As an invigilator, I witnessed this scene unfold, but I couldn’t help but think about the challenges these students will face in the coming weeks. When the time for results arrives, the pressure will be immense. This is often seen as “showtime” for schools, students, and especially parents. Many parents expect their children to score above 90%, but is this expectation realistic?

No, it isn’t. Each child has their own unique abilities, capacities, and talents.

To all parents of our future leaders, I have a humble request: let your children live a normal life. Every individual is born with a special talent. Instead of pushing them to meet unrealistic academic expectations, let’s focus on nurturing their unique gifts.

Exploring a child’s talent can be challenging for parents, but often, teachers are the first to recognize a student’s area of interest. When they share these insights with you, please listen and support your child in pursuing their passions.

Dream big and work hard! Who knows? You might just be nurturing the next successful icon in their chosen field.