Yvonnie Bailey- Davidson

Dear Counsellor:

My son is preparing for CXC examinations and sometimes he becomes anxious and agitated. He is worried that he may not do well.

- Leonie

Dear Leonie:

Preparing for examinations can be very challenging. Help your son to organise himself. He needs to make a study timetable and try and follow the schedule. With examinations not far away, he needs to be doing past paper questions and reviewing the material.

Passing examinations requires good techniques and strategies. It is important to get past papers, and practise, practise, practise. When he reviews past papers, he will become familiar with the type of questions that are usually asked. The bookshops tend to have a stock of past papers. I must emphasise that doing past paper questions is essential.

In reviewing your work, you need to keep in touch with your teachers to revise material that poses a difficulty.

Studying is hard work and he needs to get enough calories and nutrients to function well. At this time he will have to stay up later than usual to cover the bookwork. As a mother you should see that he eats properly and takes his nutritional supplements.

You need to encourage him to keep positive and focused. Reinforce the fact that others have been able to do well in the CXC examinations and that he is no less capable. Maintaining a positive approach will help to deal with difficult areas.

Some individuals get anxious and worried about exams. Too much anxiety can interfere with your preparation. Practise deep-breathing exercises to help to cope with panic attacks and anxiety.

We all have our fears and anxieties about examinations. Good preparation for the examination will reduce the level of stress and anxiety.

Midlife dilemma

Dear Counsellor:

I am a middle-age woman who is thinking of a career change. I've been working at the same place for a long time. People talk about midlife crisis, but as I see it, I am neither young nor old. What are your suggestions?

- Pauline

Dear Pauline:

Many of us are middle-age and wondering what activities to get involved with. Middle age can be a time of disorganisation as people try to make changes in their lives. Sometimes a career change will bring new meaning to life. The children are usually independent and so parents have more time on their hands to get into other activities.

You need to look at your options and choose wisely. Many skills are transferable and one can work at certain things on a part-time basis. Some people find that joining a service club or volunteering in their communities help to give them a sense of direction and purpose.

As middle-age people we have the golden opportunity to interact with the youths and the elderly. Keeping ourselves current and involved with other people is very good for our mental health. One is as old as one feels and keeping up with youths is a rejuvenation tonic. At this stage of life, it is good to mentor the younger generation and share our knowledge and skills.

The elderly look forward to being involved in life's daily activities. Keeping up-to-date is good for individuals regardless of age.

Organisations are also looking for leaders for their groups and so one can offer leadership skills.

Contact Dr. Yvonnie Bailey-Davidson by phone at 978-8602 or 791-1778; or email:yvonniebd@hotmail.com.