Fear of entrance tests: Counselling must to help students fight exam stress, say experts

Updated on: Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Keeping in mind the approaching term-end examinations and entrance tests, the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is focusing on psychological counselling to help students handle the exam pressure.

Recently, a BSc (final year) girl, Monica Verma, had committed suicide, which triggered concern among the varsity authorities. She was a maths student and had failed in a back paper exam recently.

Rakesh Pandey, a senior psychologist and professor, department of psychology, BHU, said on Tuesday, "The suicidal tendency is the extreme manifestation of hopelessness and we call it 'theory of learnt helplessness'. Though, there may be several factors leading to suicide, depression is the prominent factor. The pre and post examination pressures add to the depression and if the result goes against the candidate, he decides to end his life. In fact, the student going through depression does not see any point in living any longer." It is also worth mentioning that the department runs psychological counselling sessions for BHU students two days a week (Tuesday and Friday).

The session is run for both - day scholars and hostel inmates. The examination period, especially the term-end ones at the end of academic session, witness more and more students seeking psychological counselling.

There are a number of psychological tools to conduct psychological screening tests that help keep a tab on vulnerable sections, especially the students. "Generally, we prepare a set of questionnaires to test the psychological aptitude of candidates. Other things including personality trait, personal profile and background.

Past history of the students are also taken into account. Even, the Student Council of BHU has placed the questionnaires online on the varsity's website to enable easy access and reach," he added.

As per Vikas Singh, general secretary, Student Council, BHU, efforts are being made to reach out to students in different streams. The council is also planning to conduct personality development and other student-friendly programmes besides opening a communication channel for them.

However, psychology experts say that besides keeping a close vigil on the high risk students, regular counselling is also important. The services of a psychiatrist should be taken and medical intervention becomes necessary in extreme cases, added Pandey on the occasion.
 

Times of India

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