How to Help Your Child with Exam Stress

Exam season can be extremely stressful for young people, as they are under a lot of pressure to perform well and get good grades. All children deal with anxiety in different ways and sometimes it can just become a little bit too much. With that in mind, parents should try their best to spot the signs that their child might be struggling and help to ease some of the pressure. Here are some tips from a sixth form college in London.

Remember that your exams are not the be-all and end-all of your child’s life. Be realistic with your expectations of them and keep an open mind. If they do not get the desired grades, they can always re-sit their exams or consider some other avenues for their future. At the end of the day, their mental and physical health is more important than their grades. With that said, be sure to remind your child that you will be proud of them no matter what, as long as they are trying their best.

Make sure your child knows that you are always there for them to talk to if they ever want to let off some steam. By bottling up their problems, they will eventually explode, so you need to make yourself available to them in a one-to-one setting so that they can open up if they need to. Let them know that they should never be embarrassed about their feelings.

Encourage your child to make healthy lifestyle choices during exam season to ensure their immune system is working as it should and their emotional state isn’t jeopardised. For example, they need to get at least 8 hours sleep, drink plenty of water, eat healthy foods and take regular breaks from their studying. Exercise can help reduce stress and also improve memory, so you should encourage your son or daughter to go out for a walk or join a sporty club. For more advice on how you can help, don’t be afraid to contact your child’s teachers.

*Collaborative Post