The thought of preparing for exams can be overwhelming – not only for the student but also for the parent. For many parents it’s the unknown aspect that worries them. Things have changed since they were at school so they may have concerns that they don’t understand the curriculum or what’s required in terms of revision.
The best way to combat this as a parent is to ask. Make an appointment with your child’s teacher and speak to them directly. Many schools hold evenings dedicated to information sharing. If you attend these, you will be in a much better position to help your child prepare for their exams.
Revision and getting it done
Once you know when your child needs to revise for exams it’s important that you provide them with a suitable space in which to study. Try to make sure the space is in a quieter part of the house if at all possible. It’s important that interruptions are kept to a minimum.
If you’re short of space, or if your child shares a bedroom with siblings, make some rules around the times in which your child can expect to have complete privacy for studying. Siblings will need to know this time must be respected.
Ensure seating, lighting and equipment is as it should be and comfortable. Also, make sure your child gets enough exercise, water and nutritious food during this time. Junk food, computer games etc will impede sleep and concentration.
Don’t stress
Don’t let your child know if you’re worried – stress is contagious and you need them to be relaxed. Build up their confidence as much as possible. As this private college in Somerset believes, all children have the ability to succeed – they only need encouraging.
Help your child to understand how important fresh air and exercise are when studying. It’s vital that they have downtime too – some children will study too hard if left to their own devices. Time with their friends is important. Above all, remember that exams can be retaken – it’s not the end of the world.
This post was featured by Twinkl in their Exams and Revision Blog