Exam season can be a stressful time for both children and parents. With increased pressure, revision demands, and concerns about results, it is completely normal for young people to feel overwhelmed. As a parent or carer, your support can make a significant difference to your child’s confidence, wellbeing, and overall performance. By creating a balanced and encouraging environment, you can help them navigate this challenging period more successfully.
Create a Positive and Calm Environment
One of the most helpful things you can do is maintain a calm and reassuring home atmosphere. Children often pick up on parental stress, so remaining positive and supportive can help them feel more at ease. Try to avoid placing excessive pressure on results and instead focus on effort and progress. Remind your child that exams are important but do not define their abilities or future success.
Encourage open conversations about how they are feeling. Simply listening without judgement can help relieve anxiety and reassure them that they are not facing the pressure alone.
Help Them Stay Organised
Organisation plays a vital role in reducing exam stress. Support your child by helping them create a realistic revision timetable that breaks subjects into manageable sections. Make sure the schedule includes regular breaks, time for relaxation, and enough sleep.
Encourage them to prioritise subjects they find more challenging, while still revising topics they feel confident in. Having a clear plan can help your child feel more in control and less overwhelmed by the workload.
Encourage Healthy Habits
Physical wellbeing has a strong impact on concentration and memory. During exam periods, it can be tempting for children to stay up late revising or skip meals, but maintaining healthy routines is essential.
Ensure your child is eating balanced meals, drinking plenty of water, and getting adequate sleep. Gentle physical activity, such as a short walk or light exercise, can also help reduce stress and improve focus. Limiting excessive screen time, particularly before bed, may help them achieve better quality rest.
Recognise Signs of Stress
While some level of stress is normal and can even be motivating, excessive anxiety can affect both wellbeing and academic performance. Look out for signs such as mood changes, difficulty sleeping, lack of appetite, or withdrawal from usual activities.
If your child seems particularly overwhelmed, encourage them to talk to a teacher, school counsellor, or another trusted adult. Professional support can provide helpful coping strategies and reassurance.
Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results
It is important to acknowledge the hard work your child is putting in, regardless of the outcome. Praise their dedication, commitment, and perseverance rather than focusing solely on grades. This helps build resilience and encourages a healthy attitude towards learning and achievement.
Small rewards or simple recognition, such as planning a family activity after exams, can give your child something positive to look forward to and help maintain motivation during revision.
Be Present and Supportive
Sometimes, the most valuable support is simply being available. Whether it is helping test them with flashcards, preparing a snack, or offering words of encouragement, your involvement shows that you are invested in their success and wellbeing.
Exam periods can feel intense, but with the right support, children can develop valuable skills such as time management, resilience, and confidence. By offering understanding, structure, and encouragement, you can help your child approach their exams feeling prepared, supported, and capable of doing their best.