Reports of students committing suicide for having failed or parents pressurising children for fulfilling their failed dreams make us wonder. What is an examination after all? It is not a test of our inabilities. On the contrary it’s a test of our performing abilities in times of stress. This year ICSE will start on February 29 and ISC on February 18. The ISC practicals have begun on February 8 and the CBSE Class XII exams will begin on March 1st.

The season of stress has arrived. So has the season of unequal benchmarks and young lives suffering at the altar of soaring ambitions. It’s in these times one would do well to remember the three good words "All is well" the regular refrain from Ranchodas Shyamaldas Chanchad in the movie '3 Idiots'.

In the recent times this has been a shinning beacon of stress busting. Similar tips and easy to follow routines could make this forthcoming examination season a walk in the park and all thanks to Fortis Hospital's novel initiative of tackling exam stress, this is a reality now.

Fortis is reaching out to 30 odd schools in the city advising students on handling exam stress. Some tips given by the doctors are really simple like smart study instead of hard study, minimising waiting time outside the examination hall so that the nervousness doesn't build organised revision beforehand, resist from last minute frantic revision and not discuss answers with friends after exam.

If you are studying while listening to a song, you will not be able to concentrate on your studies because the song would add to the distraction. It is recommended that students take short breaks rather than study for hours at a stretch as it would help in retention.

But while you take breaks of 5-10 minutes, you should not chat on WhatsApp or play video games. A little munching on healthy snacks, a short walk and light music can make you feel fresh. Playing with your pet could work wonders.

When a student chats or plays video games, they get focussed on that. If the activity remains incomplete, they will remain distracted even while studying. It is advisable to play a quick puzzle, indulge in a friendly debate or discussion from where they can withdraw in 10 odd minutes.

Sound sleep for 7 hours is required, studying not more than 40 minutes at a stretch, not studying in bed, not studying too many new or fresh things in a day and sitting behind an uncluttered desk. A few mental exercises as solving puzzles that can be completed in 30 seconds could also improve their attention and concentration. To create memory chunk it is advised that the students should lay stress on skimming, mnemonics and creating connections between points.