“What ifs?” are currently peppering many of the conversations between worried children, who will be sitting their Junior or Leaving Certificate examinations next month, and their families.
“What if the wrong questions come up?”, “What if I don’t know enough?”, “What if I don’t get the points I need?” Worrisome thoughts can quickly multiply and it is all too easy for students to get trapped in a downward spiral, losing the ability to evaluate them one by one in the process.
The run-up to the State examinations can be a stressful time not just for the students, but also for their families. There may be an element of walking on eggshells, trying not to say the wrong thing or do anything that will upset them or increase their stress levels. If there are younger children in your home, you will also be faced with the task of ensuring that they keep noise levels down to eliminate distractions.
Family support, be that in the form of parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles, or indeed the wider family, is important and can play a critical role in their success.
Here are some practical tips to help families encourage, support, and help their children prepare effectively for the examinations:-
1. Help them get started. Despite the best of intentions, some students find it difficult to settle down to study or find that even when they do, their sessions are not productive. Hours and days slip by without much to show for their efforts. Some wait for inspiration to come and waste valuable time rather than getting started and working methodically. If getting started is an issue for them, help them find out what is blocking their progress. It could be weariness, not having a plan, feeling stressed, hungry, or simply, unmotivated. Sometimes, all that is required is for them to share their concerns, go for a brisk walk, enjoy a short break or some form of relaxation. This may be enough to clear their heads and help them focus on the task at hand.
2. Cultivate a sense of calm in the home. Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit study space with minimal distractions. Try to keep noise levels, such as television or loud music, down during study hours.
3. Encourage them to follow a timetable. Having clearly defined study blocks will help them be organised, focus, and maximise their learning potential. Remind them that this timetable is not written in stone and can be tweaked to correspond with energy levels, peak study periods (some children study better at night while others are more receptive to learning early in the day ), and subject areas that require additional attention. They may find setting daily goals helpful and following a consistent study pattern. Prioritising tasks and managing their time wisely are the keys to productive study periods. Successful time management may involve reducing social media use and focusing on each day’s tasks.
4. Advise them to have regular study breaks. Studying for hours without a rest can lead to exhaustion. They may think they are working harder if they skip breaks but they are actually working less efficiently. Taking short breaks, such as five minutes rest after 25 minutes study, will help them recharge their batteries, concentrate, and absorb information better.
5. Be understanding. Bear in mind that they may feel stressed and overwhelmed at times and you may be at the receiving end of their frayed tempers and irritability. Try not to pile any extra stress on them. Do not worry about household jobs left undone or untidy bedrooms.
Staying calm yourself can help. Remember, exams do not last forever. Be on hand to offer a listening ear, emotional support, encouragement, and advice. Spend time chatting with them each day or just doing something together in companionable silence. All that is needed sometimes is the reassurance that there is someone there, if required.
6. Remind them of past successes. It is easy when students are under pressure or struggling with something to lose confidence and become overly concerned about how they will perform at exam-time. Recalling their previous mini-successes will help boost their confidence. These powerful snapshots will remind their brains that they are capable and confident. Research indicates that when we positively reframe how we think, it affects the way we feel and act. So, instead of viewing exams as a threat and something to fear, they could see them as a challenge.
7. Guard against self-doubt. This often sets in when they compare themselves with an idealised image of what they think the perfect student ought to be like and judge themselves harshly as a result. Discourage comparisons and do not constantly question them about how much study they have done. If you are concerned about their work rate or failure to follow a study schedule, gentle reminders may be more effective.
8. Do not get overly stressed yourself. Or if you do, keep it to yourself and avoid overloading the exam student. They have enough to deal with without taking on any additional worries or being reminded about anything that might cause them further stress. Do not bring up past shortcomings, focus solely on examination results, or set unrealistic expectations because this will increase pressure on the student. Encourage other family members or friends to do the same and to concentrate instead on the value of effort and hard work which will help increase their capacity to study effectively.
9. Stay positive. Remaining upbeat will help elevate the mood in your home if your child is feeling dispirited or jaded. Try to look on the bright side of life, it can be catching!
10. Encourage healthy habits. These can range from eating a healthy, balanced diet, avoiding excessive sugar, building in some stress-relieving activities into their daily routine, and getting sufficient sleep. Exercise is important too and can help boost energy levels, clear the mind, and relieve stress. Walking, cycling, swimming, playing sports, and dancing are all effective.
11. Help them identify the most pressing study areas. Some may require more attention and priority in their study schedule than others. However, it is important that these are not prioritised to the detriment of others. Their best subjects also need attention.
12. Celebrate progress. A successful study session, managing to understand a difficult area, or putting in a lot of effort are all reasons for them to mark their victories. Each study period is an opportunity to learn and revise and is one step closer to their academic goals. Acknowledging their efforts and hard work is important to keep them motivated and inspired to continue aiming for success.
