Another example of how social media helps. I logged in to check my timeline and one of my FB friends’ status message revealed that the CBSE 10th standard results are out but the servers are down. Nervously, I logged on to the CBSE results website to check a kid’s result which was a responsibility I willingly took a couple of months back.

Let me be honest. It’s never easy. PERIOD. Whether you are a parent checking results for your child or a teacher or you are like me, it brings in those anxious moments where you want to convey the best possible news to the teenager. And remember, it will be etched forever in his/her memory – I remember that I was called up to share 10th standard result when I was in Mumbai. My father went to the school and brought back home a sheet scribbled with my marks/percentage and many of my friends and read all that over a STD phone call. Over a decade and a half, I do remember that day very clearly.
Have you realized how things have changed today? #CBSE10Result is trending, CGPAs have replaced percentages and again – girls have done better than boys. (Well, somethings never change!) Whatever may be the result of your child or student, know that:
- It’s just a phase of life and it’s their first big result – so be calm
- They are as anxious as you are – understand that
- How they have done is more important that their friends’ results – so do not compare
- Encourage them if they seem upset – talk to them and no nagging
- Take them out to grab a bite or just a small gesture to celebrate – it’s afterall a milestone
If your worst fears come true – relax, take a breath and let the child open up. It’s harder for them and you cannot imagine what they are going through so become a friend. Let them open up and be a good listener. Think of your days and know that life is much more than a percentage/CGPA. Yes, education and marks matters but not more than the child’s well being. Life is beyond any metrics or numbers. No one can quantify the worth of a life well lived.
Stop asking children what’s their score. Stop comparing. This will do no good. Yes, the results are out but the life is still in.
very apt post loved the you conveyed the fears anxiety of every 10/12th std parents. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Sunina..Glad you liked the post. Thank you for stopping by!
LikeLike
*the way *
LikeLike
This post reminded me of my 10th board results day. (Just last year, btw)
Sweating profusely, I hid in one corner and checked the results. My mum was in the kitchen, dad calling me on the landline from office.
I saw the result. Only the percentage registered in my mind – 95.4%
That was it. I just started doing the Gangnam Style in my room! 😛
Amazing theme, and the perfect moment to post 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mithila – You are a kid! Hence proved! 😛 I know it is such an anxious moment! For me the 12th one was scarier cos it was the first time result on internet, so I was sitting at a computer staring when I saw it! Oh gosh! what those days were..
95.4 is super cool! You are a rockstar!
LikeLike
Mithila, you are so young, dear girl!
LikeLike
Ha ha! And Rachna I feel older! Sad! Mithila you are a blogger and my friend. Don’t tell me you did 10th last year 😉
LikeLike
The message is to never judge a child’s ability by his/her board results. Life goes on. You said it s.o well here
LikeLiked by 1 person
People tend to do that so often.. Thanks Anamika..
LikeLike
Very well said, Parul, life is still in. I hated comparison. I was very much stressed out during my 10th. Only later I found out it wasn’t a big deal. My mom never let me or my sis take 10th exams lightly, I hated that then and now. As you said pressurizing kids will never do any good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Vinitha – I took a lot of stress though my parents were chilled out. I did well but thinking now, I feel how did it matter anyways 🙂 Thank you!
LikeLike
I remember getting my 10th results over the phone! A friend of mine called me up to give me my scores 😀 In those days, we had a dialup internet connection, which used to take forever to get connected, and used to get disconnected 2 minutes later!
Yeah, you’re right, all that comparison and pressure does not really help the child. If anything, it makes them scared and withdrawn.
LikeLike
Oh my God! That must have been scary. Waiting for the connection to get through.
Yes, that comparison is of no use. Thanks Sreesha for stopping by!
LikeLike
I live in the United States so am not familiar with this testing. But we are struggling here with increased standardized testing, and some of it happening with young students, not the older (what we would call) “high school”. I don’t think any teen needs this kind of pressure, no matter what country they live in.
LikeLike
Totally agree – no teen needs to go through a pressure like this one!
LikeLike
Very apt post, Parul. I remember my days. But yes, it helps to be calm and composed. Treat your children with compassion.
LikeLike
Yep – you got it! 🙂
LikeLike
haha! I remember my parents were always like “ek baar to serious le le”. But, marks never actually bothered me 😀 Good old days.. could fritter away entire day 😉
LikeLike
ha ha! funny 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Parul, my son too got the CBSE X results yesterday. I feel he has scored well. But I refused to put it on facebook for everyone to see and judge and comment. Its a lot of useless energy actually. One, that doesnt help the child, nor the parents. Good post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so good..you did the right thing! Congrats to your little champ! 🙂
LikeLike
HI Parul, Read your post with great interest and related well. After having many sleepless nights, I had to gather courage to check my daughter Tanya’s class XII result on Wednesday. My heart nearly skipped a beat…till I read Congratulations you have passed. After that I started writing marks. By God’s grace she scored well and now is off to UPES Dehradun for her Bachelor of Design Course. To add here she cleared all design school’s aptitude test and now those schools are calling me. Now all my colleagues instead of congratulating me thrashing me “See we told you she will make it and you…what not!
I know what one has to go through as result is result after all…
LikeLike
but its good fun to receive thrashing from your dear ones on this account…They were more confident about Tanya than me…so she too is bullying me! And I am loving it!!!
LikeLike
Yes, the results are out but the life is still in.
Loved the last line! Hope no parents are disappointed from their child’s result.
LikeLike
Congrats to Tanya! She is such a bright young girl. She will do awesome! You relax a bit and avoid all that unnecessary tension. Time be stop being her mom and become her best buddy 😉
LikeLike
I agree Parul. Children go through too much of a pressure. Only if parents and teachers assure them that this isn’t the end of everything will they turn out to be better individuals. Else, they will lose themselves in this competition.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was more anxious than my brother and spent a few sleepless nights too, don’t know for what joy
And when the results came out, he got a 95%. Again, I was more excited than him, jumping up and down and telling the world 😀 That boy zen-zoned me completely I tell you 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha! You have a sweet brother 🙂
LikeLike
Beautifully written, Parul. Couldn’t have said it better. We need to be a friend and a listening ear more than a pressure cooker.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a bunch! 🙂
LikeLike
Anxiety is part an parcel of exams as well as results. But then exams shouldn’t be a matter of life and death which is generally the case among a lot of parents in India quite sadly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah – the thinking has to change..
LikeLiked by 1 person
True that..
LikeLiked by 1 person