Dear students, could you pause for a moment? Yes, as you’ve read in your Flamingo book, “Now we will count to twelve and we will all keep still.” What if I told you that taking a break in the middle of your race to secure Grade A1 is not a weakness, but a strength?
Scoring an A1 in CBSE Boards requires constant effort, smart planning, and steady discipline. But it also demands mental stability and balance. In this blog, we’ll explore a practical roadmap to score Grade A1 in Class 12 CBSE boards while staying calm, focused, and stress-free.
1. Regularise Taking Breaks
Your brain is not a machine; it needs rest to function at its best. The Class 12 journey is often stressful, and without breaks, it becomes overwhelming. Just as Pablo Neruda reminds us, “Now we will count to twelve and we will all keep still,” students must pause between long study hours.
- Short breaks recharge your focus.
- They reduce boredom and mental fatigue.
- They prepare you for the next study session with fresh energy.
So, don’t feel guilty about pausing. Breaks are part of productivity, not the opposite of it.
2. Stress Management Strategies
Stress is the uninvited guest of every board aspirant. Exam pressure, parental expectations, and extra classes add up to the load. While you can’t eliminate stress, you can manage it.
Neruda’s lines beautifully guide us:
“Let’s not speak in any language;
let’s stop for a second,
and not move our arms so much.”
What does this mean for you?
- Silence the unnecessary noise around you—both literally and mentally.
- Practice calmness during chaos.
- Use simple techniques like breathing exercises, meditation, or journaling to manage panic before exams.
3. Constant Self-Reflection
One of the most underrated study hacks is self-reflection. It’s not about simply studying hard—it’s about studying smart.
As Neruda says:
“Perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves.”
Self-reflection helps you:
- Track weekly progress (syllabus completed, PYQs solved, mock tests taken).
- Identify weak areas early.
- Boost confidence as you see visible improvements.
Remember, silence isn’t about doing nothing. It’s about pausing to understand yourself better.
4. Trust the Process
Sometimes exam preparation feels slow, almost frustrating. But progress doesn’t always look visible in the moment. Trust the process.
As Neruda says:
“Perhaps the earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive.”
- Even if your initial marks are low, consistency will change the outcome.
- Regular revision and practice will bloom into results.
- Like the earth reviving after winter, your preparation will shine in the exam hall.
5. Avoid Distractions
The biggest roadblock to securing A1 is distraction. From noisy surroundings to the endless scroll of mobile phones, every little thing can pull you away from focus.
- Keep your phone away while studying.
- Use it as a tool (for educational videos or mock tests), but avoid aimless usage.
- Create a distraction-free study zone.
Remember, distractions steal your time, and time is the most valuable resource in Class 12.
Conclusion
The poem “Keeping Quiet” by Pablo Neruda is more than just a poem; it’s a roadmap for students preparing for CBSE Boards. By reflecting, pausing, managing stress, trusting the process, and cutting out distractions, you can secure the coveted Grade A1 in Class 12 CBSE exams.
So dear students, the journey to success isn’t just about studying harder, it’s about studying smarter, with balance and self-awareness. Take a break, breathe, and then continue your race with full energy.
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