4 Simple Ways to Support Your Child With Exams

It’s a time of intense stress, but there are lots of ways you can support your child with exams.

It might be the first time they’ve had to cope with any sort of pressure or work to a fixed deadline. Exams can also be a challenging time because they often happen while your child is coping with all the physical and hormonal changes caused by puberty.

Stress caused by exams

When your child is feeling the pressure of exams, they may experience physical symptoms of stress, such as their heart beating faster, getting sweaty, or feeling sick.

Emotional responses to exam stress include feeling overwhelmed, wanting to run away or hide from it, or feeling burnt out.

Exam stress is difficult, but it can sometimes be good for your child to experience a healthy level of stress. It helps them learn how to deal with the pressures of life as an adult.

1: How to help your child with revision

Let your child take ownership of their exams, with you providing practical support. It’s tempting to do everything for them, but they’re more likely to follow plans they’ve devised themselves.

For example, your teenager might initially optimistically plan to revise for 4 hours every night. You know it won’t be sustainable, but they might have to try it for a couple of nights to realise for themselves that it won’t work.

That doesn’t mean you can’t be involved and support your child with exams. You can spot potential problems, provide a listening ear, and encourage them when they feel overwhelmed.

Many young people burn out by working too intensely in the run up to exams. Encourage them to keep up with their usual hobbies and interests and help them pace themselves.

Your child can create a planner with key dates and a revision schedule so they don’t feel overwhelmed. There are a range of planners you can buy online, but usually your child’s