Bridging

XI

by Keshav Mohan
Managing Editor

Transition is a process of moving from the known to the unknown. Students go through transitions
when they start school, when they move from primary to secondary and then to senior secondary
school and also when they leave school to go to colleges or to the workplace. Transition is, therefore,
experienced by all students.
Transitions can be difficult for everyone, but for young people one of the most difficult transitions is the
one from secondary to senior secondary classes. They suddenly enter a new educational environment
that is more competitive and more demanding academically. Moreover, they are expected to be more
independent and responsible for their own assignments as well as other commitments.

Level of Transition from Class Xth to XIth

The level of transition from Class X to XI involves reorientation of the
mind of the student. Students will no longer be assessed through grades
but through marks. In-depth study and core understanding of the concepts
will be the primary factors involved.
Students will be introduced to a whole new line of subjects according to
the streams they choose. As far as science and humanities streams are
concerned, there are not many new subjects but definitely their syllabus
level of difficulty have vastly increased.

June 2014

When a student enters Class XI, he

faces many changes in the form of
new subjects requiring deep
studies, coaching institutes and
schools boasting different types of
qualifications, teachers recommending books of strange authors. In
a nutshell, everything that can
trigger panic in a calm mind.

Students opting for commerce stream are likely to face

the challenges posed by the new subjects such as
Accountancy, Business Studies, Entrepreneurship, etc.
However, students will have an opportunity to choose
subjects according to their capability.
CBSE offers a wide range of subjects to choose from as an
optional subject in Class XI. Students even have the
liberty to go for the sixth subject as an additional
subject.
The Term Scheme of Class Xth (division of whole session
into two terms) is replaced by Half Yearly and Annual
Examination. In the annual examination, complete
syllabus for the full year is covered, unlike the Term II
examination of Class X, in which only the syllabus
remaining after end of Term I is assessed.
In Class XI, students will also be expected to submit
projects for every Subject, participate in extra-curricular
activities, etc. Extra reading and out-of-the-box thinking
will be encouraged.
Weekly tests will be incorporated along with other
challenges of preparing for entrance exams, etc.
Thus, students of Class XI should be on their toes from
the very beginning. Only an attentive and serious
attitude will help them go a long way. They should
always keep in mind that Class XI is the base for Class
XII boards.
Class XI is the time to get serious, it's important to avoid
burnout and stay focused. It is the time when reality hits
the students in the face and they experience anxiety. They
often find it difficult to adjust to the new environment.
For some, transition results in academic difficulties,
social/emotional problems, decline in self-confidence, poor
motivation, decreased attendance and increased dropout
rates.

Transition Stress How it can be Avoided

The transition between the school years can cause stress.
The uncertainty of the new environment and a new
curriculum cause anxiety. Challenges such as social/peer
conflicts, curriculum changes, physical, emotional,
psychological, geographic and organisational are
experienced by students. This stress can further hamper
the students well-being and their academic progress. The
students will show frustration and lack of interest in
activities at school.

Advice for the Students to Help them

Face Transition Stress
The best way to fight through this transition phase
is to accept the changes in the same form as they
come. Accept the fact that the situation is not under
your control. Students should be prepare in advance
to face the transition from Class Xth to Class XIth
by attending a foundation course in Class X, so
that, they can anticipate the changes that are about
to come. For Class XI, they should choose the school
which provides regular classes and doubt-clearing
sessions and at the same time also provides the
flexibility to accommodate a coaching schedule.
Utmost care is to be taken in selecting the coaching
centre, the foremost requirement being a good
testing mechanism and regular classes. The tests
should evaluate a students weaknesses
continuously and any problem should be caught at
the first stage.

Strategies for Helping Children Cope

with Transition Stress
Given below are some points which can help
students in facing transition stress
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Students should accept the change in a positive

way. They should understand that transitional
periods are opportunities for growth.

>

Students should develop enthusiasm for

learning and optimism for the future.

>

They need to be more interactive and attentive.

They should be open to new friendships.

>

Students should not be under the impression

that there is a lot of time. Actually there isn't. It's
not a single transition, it is actually a sequence
of changes. They should value time and should
not lose their focus due to distractions and
temptations.

To conclude, it can be said that things were

supposed to change with time and so they have. You
will have to change with them also.
Getting a shock in the beginning is natural; it
happens with everybody. Once you know what was
supposed to happen, you will have no fear.

June 2014

Role of Teachers, in Helping

the Students to Face

Transition Stress
The Class XI Class Teacher and the
individual subject teachers can help
the students by explaining them the
level of study expected from them.
This will also help build rapport
between teachers and students.
Teachers need to provide
adolescents with a learning
environment that can encourage
them to fuse together prior
knowledge and new experiences to
solve problems. They should
provide a more stimulating and
interactive classroom environment
that develops the ability to form
opinions, make decisions and draw
conclusions.
Teachers need to promote higher
order thinking skills in students
through their teaching, to help
them achieve abstract levels of
thinking, which will in turn will
promote a feeling of success and
make the transition successful for
many.
An orientation programme can be
organised for students as well as
parents, wherein the students and
parents can be introduced to the
staff, curriculum, etc.
Thus, it can be said that teachers
should think of ways to bridge any
gaps implicit in transitions. Rather
than sudden endings and abrupt
beginnings, is it better to provide
some overlap between the old and
the new. Be attuned to changes in
behaviour of students. For children
who have suffered any type of loss,
transitions are likely to make them
more vulnerable.

An anxious state of mind can lead

to defensive behaviour aggression,
withdrawal, lack of social
interaction, lack of academic
progress, lack of interest and
depression. Identify and
acknowledge the loss and
accordingly address the behaviour.

Role of Parents in Helping

the Students to Face

Transition Stress
With a little acknowledgement of
transitions and planning, parents
can help reduce transition stress
both in the short-term and
long-term. Validating feelings
followed by some serious
reassurance and hugs can go a long
way in easing the stress. Simple and
short sentences like, Lets work
together to see how we can make it
easier and better for you, can do
wonders.
A regular weekly family outing or
spending time with children can
give them a boost to tackle changes
in their life. Parents can help their
children manage their time and
develop effective study skills. Its
also important to keep in contact
with teachers to get feedback on the
childs performance.
Straightforward communication
and motivation are the strongest
support that the parents can offer
their children.
The transitions are inevitable.
Transit yourself with them.
Remember that for you it is an
entirely different world, but your
seniors too experienced it only a
year ago and your teachers have
seen children fight through this,
year after year.

June 2014