Exam time stress - yours and your teens

It's that time of year again, teenagers across the country are preparing to take their exams, whether they are GCSE's or "A" levels, there are tensions starting to develop.

Your teenager is preparing for something which they know is very important and will affect their future choices, they want to do the best that they can. So how can you help them achieve the best results possible? 

1. Keep calm, easier said than done sometimes but your teen is feeling stressed and you getting stressed as well isn't going to help. Remember that your teenager may lash out but this is just to relieve some of the tension they are feeling. It is not personal.
2. Help them to create a revision timetable and diarise the dates and times of the exams. This way they know which exams are coming and the time and length of the exams. They can fit their revision into the timetable so that they can see what needs to be done.
3. Be available, although your teenager finds it hard to believe, they know you have been through this experience and come out the other side. Sometimes they just need telling that it will all work out. 
4. Reassure them that they have worked hard with their revision and that they really do know the things they need to be able to get through the exam. The school will have spent months preparing them for this, doing past papers and reinforcing learning. They are well prepared although they may have a crisis of confidence and think they don't. Just reassure them but back it up with facts like the school have prepared them, saying you know they'll be fine doesn't cut it.
5. Try to make sure that they are getting enough sleep, sitting up all night looking at revision books or being on the internet is not going to help them perform well the next day. The old cliche of a warm milky drink before bed really does work. 
6. When they have an exam, help them by providing a good healthy breakfast that will slowly release energy throughout the morning, eggs are a really good choice (according to a nutritionist friend). 
7. Help by making sure that your teenager is drinking enough to stay properly hydrated, especially if it is warm. The brain cannot function properly when it is dehydrated. Make sure they have water or squash rather than fizzy drinks. If they are studying in their room, take drinks up occasionally so that they can stay hydrated.
8. Ensure that they have everything ready for the exam the night before, you won't need any pre exam tensions.
9. After the exam has finished, be available to talk. Allow them to tell you how much or little they want to. Sometimes they may feel an exam has not gone well and will look for reassurance, other times they will think it is fine and not need to talk. 
10. Remember it is only 5 weeks of exams and then it will be over and results will be awaited. Your teenager may feel that they have been studying and working hard for ages and that there is no end in sight. Let them have some down time to do what they want between exams. They will need time to relax and unwind and feel "normal".

Stay calm and support your teenager, the exams will be over quickly enough.

If you need some help and support during this time, please contact me on 07586 379 301.