It is only natural for teenagers to feel overwhelmed and stressed during exam period as they tend to put a lot of pressure on themselves to perform well and get good grades. Everyone deals with anxiety in different ways and sometimes it can just become a little bit too much, which is why it is important for parents to be aware of the usual signs and be there to help wherever they can.
There are lots of things you can do to relieve the pressure a little or help instil confidence into your teens as they face exam season. If like the rest of us you are slightly unsure where to start here is some advice and top tips from a boys prep school based in Surrey to help!
Keep them motivated with a can do attitude!
Help to keep your child motivated using an optimistic and positive attitude. By helping your child to prepare for their exams you will also help them to feel more confident and perform at their best throughout their exams. Remember to let them know just how proud you are of them, to help them feel encouraged.
Take the pressure off and provide a shoulder to cry on if needed
Check in with your child each day and make sure they know that you are available to chat to should they need to. They might just want to let off some steam or get some advice but simply knowing that someone is there to support them will go a long way. Tell them that they should never be embarrassed about feeling a certain way or wanting to talk about it. The mental and physical health of your child is more important than their exam results, so let them know that no matter what the outcome you are proud of them for trying their best.
Make a plan
One way you can reduce exam nerves is to make sure your teen is as prepared as they can be as early as possible! This will irradiate the need for any pre exam cramming or stressful all night study sessions. One way to do this is by creating a revision schedule that clearly shows exam dates and times, along with time slots for your child to dedicate to revision. You should also include ‘free time’ slots to allow your child to relax and reward themselves.
Encourage healthy lifestyle choices
Try to encourage your child to make healthy lifestyle choices during exam season to ensure their immune system is working at its very best. This will also help to make sure that their emotional state is not jeopardised. Simple things to look out for are:
- Sleep – ensure they are getting 8 hours a day to enhance exam performance
- Exercise – can help reduce stress and also improve memory, so you should encourage your son or daughter to go out for a walk or join a sporty club
- Healthy snacks – try to make snack time a chance to increase the nutrients your child gets throughout the day to keep their energy levels up
- Stay hydrated – our brains are 73% water and need proper hydration to function normally. A lack of ability to focus, sleep issues and brain fog are all intrinsically linked to a reduced intake of water
- Breakfast – it is called the most important meal of the day for good reason, it sets you up ready for the day and ensures your attention span is as good as it can be
