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Home > Tips

Tips on dealing with exam stress

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30 March 2010

  • Be calm, positive and reassuring and put the whole thing into perspective. They can always take an exam again.
  • Help them revise by re-arranging the family's schedules and priorities. Be lenient about chores and untidiness, give them a break and understand lost tempers and moodiness.
  • It's never too late to study, revise or ask for help.
  • Bribes or presents conditional on getting high grades aren’t the best way to help young people. It’s far better to encourage them to work for their own satisfaction and schedule small and frequent rewards for effort.
  • Make sure they have a comfortable place to work – and accept that some people CAN revise better with loud music or the TV on in the corner!
  • Get them ready for an exam. Encourage them to get all their pens and pencils ready the night before and try to get them to go to bed at a reasonable time. On the day of the exam, try to organise a special breakfast and go through a check list with them to make sure they have everything they need.
  • Send them off with the knowledge that you love and support them whatever the result of the exam.
  • As each exam is finished, let them voice their worries and expectations, but also encourage them to let go and focus on getting through the next exam or next event, whilst listening out for any underlying serious problems.
  • Mark the ending of exams with a celebration, so that whatever result they get they have at least been valued and praised for having done their best.

We asked some teenagers about school - what pressures they were facing, how they felt about taking their options and who they would go to if they had any problems. Listen here to hear what they had to say...

For more information read Exam Pressure [PDF]


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