Try and relieve your child's stress during exams
With the January exam season underway, how can you support your child and ensure they achieve their best results?
Here are some tips to help make it a little less stressful.
Help them make a revision timetable
A timetable will help to divide their time equally between subjects, as well as ensuring that some revision is scheduled in each day. Little tips such as colour coding subjects makes it less of a chore.
Consider hiring a tutor
If there is something your child is really struggling to get to grips with, a tutor could come in handy. You can hire subject specific tutors, who will come to your home and go over the necessary details of whatever it is that they can't quite get the hand of. But if you think it is something you could help with, sit down and talk through it patiently with them until they understand.
If necessary, remove games consoles or televisions from their room at certain times
Having these distractions in a room will make revision seem like an even more tedious task. It could also mean late nights staying up on games and watching television, when they have an important exam the next day.
Make sure they get a break
Concentration doesn't last long, so a quick interval between revision should help them keep their focus on the task in hand.
A healthy body means a healthy mind
Prepare healthy meals and snacks, and ensure they drink plenty of water to keep their brain hydrated. A good breakfast on the day of an exam is important too.
Plenty of sleep
Bed time might have to be rearranged during the exam period, to ensure that your child gets an early night and put in their best work the following day. If you can, try and make sure they don't do too much last minute cramming - it doesn't work. Some wind-down time before they go to sleep is important.
Reward them with a treat once the exam is over
The promise of a fun day out or treat after their exams, or if they have worked really hard, can be an excellent incentive to pull them through the slog of revision. The emphasis is on incentive, however, and treats shouldn't be used as a bribe. Once you have promised it, you must follow through.
Let them know you have every faith in their success
Your support will lift their confidence and let them know that you are keen for them to do their best. Tell them that it's okay to be nervous, and reassure them that no matter what their results, you know they have tried their best.
Georgia Smith
Tagged in Stress