The National Examination period is a stressful time for both students and parents as the former's high school graduation and possible enrollment in state universities will be soon determined.

Instead of having a relaxing weekend, high school students had to either keep their heads in the books or overcome anxiety, or both, ahead of the four-day exam, which will commence on Monday.

Atika Rahmah, a student from SMA 24 state senior high school in Senayan, Central Jakarta, looked tired as she studied math in her living room on Saturday.

'Over the last couple of weeks I've only slept four to five hours a night, studying very late or waking up at dawn to review material,' she told The Jakarta Post.

'I have to put in extra effort especially in math and physics.'

Atika said she had been taking extra lessons at Bimbingan Tes Alumni (BTA) from the beginning of the academic year in mid-2012 to prepare for the exam.

'I study Indonesian, math, English, physics, biology and chemistry at BTA after school and I'm also active in a study group with friends,' she said, adding that she had also been praying to God to help her stay focused.

She said she was worried that she would not be able to pass the exam.

Atika is not alone.

Firda Yulianti, an Assa'datul Abadiyah Islamic vocational senior high school student, said she was afraid that she would make mistakes on her exam sheet.

'If we want to exchange our answer sheet because it's damaged or wet, we also need to exchange the question sheet because they are integrated,' said Firda, adding that such in instance would mean that she would have to take the exam all over again.

Tria Kinasih, who goes to SMK 13 state vocational school in Rawa Belong, West Jakarta, said she had prepared for the exam by reviewing school materials every day so she would not have to push herself studying when the exams drew on.

Sugiarti, mother of Dedy Maulana, a student of Islamic vocational senior high school SMK 19 state vocational school in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, said she was very concerned that the exam could determine whether Dedy would graduate high school.

Chairwoman of the Jakarta branch of Clinical Psychology Association (IPK), Kassandra Putranto, said that being worried ahead of the exam was an example of being unprepared.  

She said stress reduction could be achieved through the emotional freedom technique, but 'that's not the point'.

'Parents should teach their children how to be responsible and study independently from 4-years- old,' she said. 'As a result, children will study on their own without being asked.'

'Studying intensively is important but it's not the only way to face the final exam. Students should form their learning habit from early childhood,' she said. (hrl)

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