Tests and exams are the vital part of our education system as it helps us to evaluate the understanding of the student for the subject / topic. But we cannot deny the fact that along with its importance it can be a challenging part of school life for children and young people including their parents too sometimes. But then in order to absorb the concept thoroughly its vital to cope up with the stress that comes along with it. Our very first step should be watching out for the signs and symptoms of stress. The children or young students who are taking stress may:
- Either lose interest in eating or eat a lot
- Seem hopeless about their future and career whenever discussed with them
- Develop a very negative attitude and low in their mood
- Not take proper sleep due to insomnia
- Get frequent stomach ache and headaches
- Not enjoy all those activities which they previously used to enjoy a lot
- Remain irritated all through the day
In such matters, having someone to share your worries and thoughts actually helps. Support from the parent is always the best option and in other cases sharing problems with study buddies also helps to keep things in perspective. Encourage your child to talk to the member of staff who they think are supportive and understanding and involve your child as much as you can. There are few important steps to be taken for the child to help them cope up the stress.
HELP YOUR CHILD GET REQUIRED SLEEP
A good sleep always improves the thinking and concentration. Teenagers require 8-10 hours of sound sleep in order to build concentration, peace and then further perform well in the exams. Half an hour minimum should be there to wind down from
Studies in between the free times . It can include either computer games or watching TV.
Sitting and cramming the whole night before exams is definitely not a good idea. The brain requires minimum 8 to 10 hours of sleep.
BE FLEXIBLE DURING THE EXAMS
Its very important to be flexible with your child during exams. You should not indulge them much in the household chores. Even if out of tension and hurry they leave their space untidy and unorganized, its fine you can do it for them for a while.
HELP THEM STUDY
Help your child to come up with the best ideas of revision like drawing up a schedule or getting hold of all the past papers to practice. To further encourage them we should often talk to them about their career choices and goals in life and then relate their exam and the revision with it. This certainly motivates the students to study.
TALKING ABOUT EXAM NERVES
You need to make your child understand that feeling nervous or anxious before exam is totally normal. Nervousness is the natural reaction to exams but if anxiety seems to be getting in their way rather than helping then encourage your child to practice those things which they would be doing on the day of exam. For example visiting the exam center beforehand, practicing past papers etc.
MAKING TIME FOR TREATS
Reinforcements play a very important role in encouraging the child and coping up the stress. Set rewards for each step Like one after completing each exams nicely. Finally you can help them plan an exam after party for their rejuvenation.
By the above suggested ideas you can help your child to get through this phase without taking any kind of stress. Just try to listen to your child, give them support and avoid criticism.