Supporting Your Child Through Exam Period

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Exam period is a stressful time for students and also for parents, as you’ll want to do everything you can to support your child and ensure they perform to the best of their ability. Although ultimately the hard work is down to them, there are things you can do to help. The following tips from a college in Hampshire will help you set your child up for success and allow you to support them through the ups and downs of exam period.

Revision & Preparation

Your first port of call should be to ensure that your child has an effective and sustainable revision schedule. Many students tend to put revision off until the last minute and then spend several sleepless nights cramming before the big day. Not only will this hinder their performance due to sleep deprivation, but the stress of last-minute cramming will also take its toll on their emotions and on their results. Help them set up a revision schedule well in advance and make sure they have enough time to cover everything they need, whilst incorporating lots of down time so they don’t get burnt out. You could draw up a calendar and pin it to their bedroom wall so they can keep track of what they need to do each day. The feeling of having everything under control should help them steer-clear of any major pre-exam meltdowns.

Healthy Lifestyle

A healthy, balanced lifestyle should not be overlooked when it comes to exam prep. Staying up late revising and relying on sugary drinks for energy will make it harder to retain information and will eventually result in an inevitable crash. Instead, make sure your child is eating balanced meals and getting plenty of rest as this will enable them to maintain focus. Adequate hydration is important at all times but especially when revising for an exam, as studies have shown that dehydration can lead to poor concentration, tiredness, and overall cognitive decline.

Emotional Support

Finally, it is important to make sure your child knows that you’re there to listen to their concerns and be a shoulder to cry on should they need it. Exams are stressful no matter how organised you are and having someone to talk to about it can take some of the pressure off. Make sure your child knows that they have your full support and try not to put too much pressure on them, reassure them that as long as they try their best you will be proud of them regardless of the outcome.