Avoiding Academic Burnout before the PSLE...

Most schools will have completed their Prelims this week. After the Prelims, some parents or schools will tend to "pump" the pupils with current year Prelim papers of top schools.

I believe that for a child to achieve optimal performance at the PSLE, they should peak at the right time. Over the years, I have seen pupils who suffered from academic burnout before the PSLE. Some fell sick during the PSLE period due to stress or lack of rest.

It is my personal belief that during this period before the PSLE, the kids should not be overwhelmed with lots of revision papers. Instead, they should reflect on the mistakes that they have made during the Prelims and identify their weaknesses. They should revisit and review the topics that they are weaker in and clarify any doubts that they have.

It is all right to do a few revision papers or selected questions during this period to ensure that the brain is conditioned. However, quantity should not be the key focus during this period. Doing more during this period does not guarantee stellar results in the PSLE. As a parent, you could select questions that are more challenging or tricky for your child to attempt if he or she is in the high ability group. If your child is of average ability, make sure your child knows how to do the commonly tested questions first. Then let him or her attempt some of the more challenging questions after you have ensured that he or she knows how to do the commonly tested questions.

To achieve peak performance during the PSLE, the child should be well physically, emotionally and mentally. Hence it is important to ensure that your child is not too stressed. Besides revising and doing some questions to condition the mind, your child should eat more fruits, drink more water and have enough rest.

Tutors = Service Providers or Educators?

Yesterday, I received an SMS from a parent of an ex-tutee. The parent was planning a gathering for me and the 2013 batch of P6 tutees. I was really touched by her gesture.

I recalled hearing comments from friends or others who are conducting private tuition that at times, parents treat tutors as mere service providers and do not respect them. Some of their tutees are also rude to them.

I am very blessed that I have met supportive and understanding parents so far. Most of the tutees are also respectful. If the tutee is rude to me or any of the tutors at the centre, I have a clause in the terms and conditions that gives me the liberty to tell them to withdraw. To me, a child's attitude is even more important than his or her aptitude.

Over the years, I think that my positive experiences with parents, pupils and tutees have reaffirmed my belief that when you teach from your heart and teach with your heart, most parents and kids will be able to feel it and appreciate it.

I see myself as an educator, not a mere service provider. Yes, as my ex-principal pointed out when I left MOE, the sphere of influence as a tutor is smaller than as a teacher or subject head in school. However, I do feel a sense of satisfaction when I see the look of "enlightenment" when I go through certain concepts that the kids find tough. I feel an even greater sense of achievement when some of the kids are inspired to write, read more story books and be more self-directed in learning so as to scale greater heights.