Exams can be gruelling, and difficult for children if they’ve never encountered them before. They require good preparation and that involves planning and consistency. To help your child with their exam practice, we have some tips for parents that we’ve created with the help of a top A Level college in the UK.
Organisation Is Key for Exam Success
While it may seem insignificant, in the grand scheme of things staying organised can help your child to work more effectively. Without proper organisation, it’s hard to plan which is essential for working towards any sort of deadline. It also means that they will know exactly where to find their notes and where they are within their revision which can help reduce any unnecessary stress during an already challenging time.
Helping Your Child Stay Organised
Consider storage and putting systems in place. This will ensure that everything has its place. Whether that be specific drawers or files on their computer, it will reduce the chance of anything getting lost.
Create a Study Schedule
This stems from the point above. In order to make a dent in their revision, your child must have a plan in place and make time to revise. A study schedule will allow your child to make the most of the time that they have before exams start and make sure that they are able to cover the content that they need to in time.
Dealing with Procrastination
Even with a plan in place, it’s possible that your child may struggle to concentrate and revise at home. Removing all potential distractions like their devices can reduce procrastination and make it easier for your child to focus.
Mindfulness
It may also be beneficial to explore mindfulness as exam season can be a stressful time. Knowing how to manage it correctly can help children to work through their revision and perform their best. There are lots of different ways to practise mindfulness, such as breathing exercises and muscle relaxation. What’s important to note is that it may take a while before your child can see an improvement. Your child will need to practise the techniques regularly to get better at connecting with the present moment.
Implement a Good Routine
It’s just as important to make sure that your child’s eating right and getting enough sleep. Their lifestyle choices can have a significant impact on their ability to concentrate and retain information, so you will want to make sure that they have a good routine in place.
Sleep
While every bit of revision counts, your child should try and not miss out on any sleep. As a minimum they should aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night, although this may vary depending on their age.
Diet
Food is fuel for the body and feeding it the right nutrients will provide good health and help make sure that your child’s on top form. Adding specific foods such as fatty fish and berries can also supplement brain function and help improve their memory.
Schedule Rest Breaks
Studying can be mentally draining so you will need to find a balance. When setting aside time for their studies, be sure to add breaks and time for their regular hobbies.
On a final note
The last piece of advice that we’d give to parents is to be understanding and provide emotional reassurance. While they will need good grades in their exams for the future, they are not the end all and be all. What’s important is that they try their best, are happy and look after their mental health. Be mindful in your approach and refrain from adding any unnecessary pressure or expectation.
