IT’S Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) week so sweaty palms and jittery nerves are undoubtedly going to feature among the students doing their final preparations for the sittings on Thursday and Friday.

Generally, teachers and guidance counsellors generally focus on academic study tips to reduce stress levels, but this year Rousseau Primary School in St Andrew has employed an unorthodox approach. It invited orthopaedic surgeon Dr Rory Dixon to the school’s annual GSAT Motivational Talk last Wednesday to demonstrate how to physically ward off anxiety and stress during the exams.

He demonstrated a variety of workouts that do not require students to leave their seats – including hand, finger, shoulder and arm exercises, leg and calf muscle workouts, and head and ankle rotation techniques – which he said are effective in aiding blood supply to brain and reducing body tension.

He also expressed concern about the height of chairs and desk relative to the students’ heights, arguing that this, more than anything else, could be a major source of discomfort.

“When the height of the desk and chairs are disproportionate to the seating height of the child, the child is forced to slouch to find comfort but this could put pressure on their lower back. This can be very uncomfortable, especially when they are to sit like that for long hours,” Dr Dixon said.

Principal Owen Speid explained the rationale for hosting the annual talks.

“We realised that under exam induced situations, especially, students seemed tense and uneasy; they kept shuffling around. What we could deduce from that is that they were not comfortable. In an examination, the physical distraction can affect how the students think and apply,” principal Owen Speid explained.

In his presentation, the principal made the point that he was not discounting the importance of academic preparation, but stressed test-taking tips.

“It is important that you take special care to follow all the instructions. Read twice for accuracy and remember not to haste in answering even when you believe that you are sure of your responses,” the principal told the cohort of 200 students.

“In addressing the Communication Task section of the exam, you must be sure to first make a plan for whatever you will write. Be creative, use your synonyms and be sure to proofread your material. Above all, be sure to pace yourself and manage your time well,” Speid advised.

The students were particularly appreciative of the tips and techniques.

“Today’s activities have taught me so much and I already feel less [stressed] having heard these tips which I will be putting into practice. I now know that instead of sitting and slouching to get my blood running, I can rotate my ankles and legs along with other exercises,” said Sontee Davis.

Equally excited was Damonic Neita, who served along with Davis as Dr Dixon’s assistants during the talks.

“I found the session to be very interesting. I never knew there were so many ways to relax myself while sitting. [This], in addition to all that my mother [has] told me has definitely made me GSAT ready,” he said.

Principal Speid said he hopes that a similar test preparation method will be adopted in other schools.

Meanwhile, administrators at Rousseau Primary have pledged to address the seating handicap to which Dr Dixon referred, by working to ensure that desks and chairs are more carefully appropriated according to students’ heights.