Exams are a stressful period for the whole family. Obviously, the student taking exams has a huge workload and stress level, but it can impact everyone. It is difficult as a parent/guardian to watch your child go through this time and it’s natural to want to do all you can to help.
With the right support, parents can help make the exam experience more manageable. Below are some practical strategies to guide your child through this challenging period with confidence and resilience.
Create a positive study environment
Help your child create a quiet, comfortable, and well-lit space for studying. This might not always be possible at home but maybe there is a grandparent or friend who has a space they can use. Try to minimise distractions in the home when your child is revising. There could be set times of the day when noise is kept to a minimum to aid study.
Encourage a balanced routine
Studying is important, but so is rest and relaxation. Encourage your child to take regular breaks and do some physical activity when they can. With pressure from school, and their peers, many students feel like they need to work every hour of the day to maximise revision time, but we all know that sitting at your desk for prolonged periods is not an effective use of time. Working for a set period of time, with breaks, can actually benefit memory retention and boost concentration levels.
Engage with your child
Talk to your child about how you can support them and what they will find helpful. You don’t have to be a subject expect to help your child with their revision. You may have revision techniques and strategies that worked for you that you can share. You might be a great help with revision planning as that is an area that a lot of students struggle with. You could test their knowledge by asking them questions from flashcards. If they are lacking motivation working with them can help them stay on track.
However, avoid excessive pressure and putting a lot of expectation on your child. Try your best to be involved but not overbearing. Be guided by them as to what they need at any given time. Sometimes they may just need a hug!
Teach and encourage Stress Management Techniques
Mindfulness, breathing exercises, and positive self-talk can help your child manage anxiety. If they are feeling overwhelmed you could help them to take deep breaths, break tasks into small steps, and try to approach exams with a calm mindset.
It is easy for a student to feel overwhelmed, especially before the exams start, and it feels there is so much to do. Practicing these techniques can help calm a worried mind, even if it is just for a short time.
Support Healthy Sleep Habits
Sleep is crucial for memory and focus. Ensure your child is getting enough rest, especially in the days leading up to their exams. They should try to avoid last-minute cramming late at night! Try to eliminate screens before bed to create a relaxing sleep environment. Scrolling social media to see how much work other people have done will not encourage rest!
Be Their Cheerleader
As a parent it is important to offer encouragement and remind them of their strengths. A simple, “You’ve got this!” can make all the difference! Let you child know that doing their best is what truly matters. Remind them that mistakes and setbacks are part of learning. As long as they do their best, that is good enough.
Regardless of the outcome, acknowledge their effort and resilience. Plan a fun trip or treat for after the exams are over to have something to look forward to.
Exams are just a part of their educational journey
Exams are a step we all go through in life. All you can do as parents is help them navigate it as best you can, giving them the support they need to get through it and enjoy the Summer.
Here at 3A Tutors we do all we can to create an efficient and calm environment for our students to take their exams. If you have any specific exam questions regarding exams your child is taking at our Bristol exam centre just let us know.