By Ms Placida Nazareth for BISMumbai

St Joseph’s High School, Wadala, organised a guidance seminar on 12 August 2023, for the students of Grade 10 and their parents. Students from Auxilium Convent High School, Wadala, and Sitaram Prakash High School, Wadala, also attended the seminar. 

The seminar guided the students and parents in preparing for the upcoming SSC board exams, managing their stress during this journey, and clearing the misconceptions in their minds regarding the exams. This programme was started in 2017 by Fr Godfrey D’Sa during the centenary celebration of the institution. 

The programme began with the Rector, Fr James Nigrel, who welcomed the audience. There were two speakers, Ms Shailaja Mulay and Dr Fabian Almeida. Ms Mulay, who had been an examiner, moderator, and chief moderator for the SSC board, spoke on the method of preparation and smart study for the exam. She laid emphasis on the importance of reading textbooks, discussed every subject individually, and also gave various tips to the parents for creating a conducive and favourable atmosphere at home for studying. She also exhorted the students to study during weekends, follow a proper sleep schedule, and use efficient study techniques. She spoke with a perfect blend of humour and seriousness, which captured the audience’s attention.

Dr Fabian has specialised in psychiatry. He spoke about stress management. According to him, stress can be both positive (eustress) and negative (distress). Since it is important to manage stress efficiently, he  spoke about the different ways of managing stress, advising parents to encourage their children in various ways. The Principal, Fr Blaise Fernandes, concluded the seminar by expressing his gratitude to the speakers.

Grade 10 is considered one of the most important stages in a student’s education because its results determine their further studies and their career. This indeed puts a lot of pressure on students and their parents and increases the stress they undergo. Therefore, guidance and awareness in these matters in necessary during this phase.

The students and parents appreciated the guidance seminar and were very grateful to the school management for organising it.