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.
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
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
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.
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.