An initiative taken by the Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) for providing proper help and advice to students seems to be bearing fruits with a large number of students calling the helpline numbers for assistance. On the very first day (Monday) of counselling cell at JAC around fifty to sixty calls were received. However, the shyness and introvert nature of students seem to be creating a barrier for counselling.
The first two session of the counselling held on Monday and Tuesday, done by the Ranchi Women’s College, Psychology Professor Renu Kumar. While talking about the counselling she mentioned, “We had around 50 calls from the students of science stream and five to six from Commerce. What we have found during the counselling session, students are bit shy and introvert due to which they are unable to share their problems and grievances. But we try to understand and sort out their issues”.
About the queries of students Kumar added, “Majority of Students calling us are keen to know how to apply for scrutiny, improvement and supplementary exams.” It seems the past records of exams are still horrifying for the students, as they believe they were made victim of average marking or some mistake of the examiners. Mathematics and Chemistry are the main concern of students from the science stream whereas Commerce students have troubles with accountancy.
“During the counselling students of science stream have been found more active in interaction in comparison to the students belonging to commerce stream. Interestingly, Girls were seen more interested and open during the counselling knowing how to apply for the scrutiny and improvement exams. On the contrary, Boys were quite straight forward and seemed bit introvert, ” Kumar further said.
JAC Joint Secretary AK Jha said, “From the last year we have started counselling for the students to seek advice from the experts. The session begins immediately after the declaration of exam results. The counselling is done with the help of experts primarily from the Psychology Professors from Ranchi University. To encourage the students for counselling, JAC launched a toll free number last year- 18003456523. So, that student can enquire regarding the same”.
“The basic reason behind starting the counselling is to stop students from hurting themselves in depression. As most of the time students try to commit suicide in trauma. By counselling we try to console students, so that they won’t take any action which hurt them, he added.