College Capers

Adolescence can be a trying time for you and your teenager. When kids join college, they just feel as though they can do anything they want. It is not uncommon for kids to bunk lectures and not take studies seriously. Worse, they could end up with bad company.

Apart from that, they could also have a laid back attitude. This is especially true when you have a family business.

Your kids may feel that it is okay to not pass because they can join your business.

Even media plays a major role in influencing the children. Zayed Khan plays the role of a guy who constantly fails in the film Main Hoon Na. In this film, failing is considered cool.

Also, when you force her to take up a stream which she may not be comfortable with, she will definitely not excel.

For example, you might want her to pursue engineering and hence, take up the Science stream. But for all you know, she could be really interested in the Arts stream, and excel in it. In this case, however, she could change streams.

For example, if she takes up commerce after her 10th standard exams and is uncomfortable with the calculations, she could change her stream to Arts. So, it is important that you see where your child's potential and interests lie and then help her choose the stream she wants.

If she is weak in a particular subject and has failed in her exams just because of that one subject, it is possible that she may develop a phobia for that subject. In such cases, you can change her stream accordingly.

Professional Exams

If you force your daughter to choose a profession you want for her instead of taking her personal interest and potential, she is not likely to perform well in that field.

Remember, if she appears for a professional exam and keeps failing again and again, you need to understand the exact reason.

Talk to a career counsellor to choose the right stream or profession before enrolling her in a college.

Recognise Problem Areas

According to Dr. Seema, kids in the age group 15- 18 are more likely to attempt suicide or commit one if they fail in their exams. This is because they are in an age group where they are likely to take their own decisions, often hasty ones.

Peer pressure also plays a significant role in driving them to take such a decision. If your teen is in this age group, you need to be very careful and watch her every move. However, don't make it obvious that you are observing her behaviour. Just avoid leaving her alone for long period of time.