Key Parenting Advice: Supporting Children During the GCSE Exam Period

Unlock key parenting advice and strategies for guiding students through exams period. Foster interactive learning and address exam nerves effectively with essential tips for student success!
Apr 4
Exam season approaches, a challenging time not only for students but also for parents responsible for providing unwavering support. The GCSE exam period, in particular, brings heightened stress as it significantly impacts a student's future trajectory.

Unsure how to best aid young people without succumbing to panic? Here are vital tips to guide you through this crucial period.

1. Encourage interactive learning and find study partners

Research published in the 2014 journal "Peer Learning" by the University of South Australia highlights the efficacy of studying with a partner or engaging in a study buddy scheme. Collaborative study sessions often yield better results as peers motivate, add an element of fun, and support effective learning strategies.

Encourage students to study with a buddy by creating a conducive environment or participate in interactive study sessions together, such as engaging in educational quizzes.

2. Be open-minded parents and cultivate good communication

It is very normal for children to have anxiety and be nervous during this time. The important thing is to be a safe space for them and be a person who they can talk to, without judgment and criticism.

The National Health Service suggested that not only can you talk with children about the exam nerves, but you can also approach it from a positive perspective.

Trying to reassure them that they are well-prepared to keep them feeling confident. And if they feel nervous about the timeframe getting close, you can check out our latest article on how to make the most of the school holiday.

3. Monitor signs of stress and support mental health

This is a very important thing that parents can do to help mitigate exam stress among teenagers.

When students are stressed or panicking about something, especially experiencing exam nerves during this period, they may exhibit signs that parents can observe and assist with.

The NHS suggested that parents should look for these signs
  • Lose appetite
  • Be negative and not in a good mood
  • Have headache and stomach pain
  • Lose interest in the activities that they usually enjoyed 
  • Feel hopeless


If they have such signs, it’s better to talk to them or find someone they can talk to, such as a teacher or their friends. Make sure not to put more pressure on them; let them have proper sleep and relax with entertainment sometimes.

Remember that the mental health matters. To be a great supporter during this time, ensure both physical and mental support for the children. With love and support from parents, children can get through the hard times and potentially reach their goals.