Are your exams making you a nervous wreck? Is your teenager driving you nuts with inefficient revision? We’ve got the hints and tips to help parents and students survive exam season and look forward to a summer to remember!
Don’t let exam season leave you feeling like this.
Student survival guide
Coping with exam stress:
Prioritise tasks:
Make a list and prioritise tasks, so you don’t fall behind, leading to avoidable stress in the long run. Spend time on the most important tasks, rather than the easiest or most interesting tasks. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is to start each study session by focusing on one high-priority item.
Take time for yourself:
Setting aside a couple of minutes every day to practice mindfulness techniques, such as breathing exercises helps you to calm down your body’s stress response and shift your attention back to the present moment.
Eat, sleep, and exercise well:
Taking care of your body is vital, getting 8/9 hours of uninterrupted sleep and eating a balanced diet will help you perform better.
Set achievable goals:
Make sure you are setting realistic goals, so as not to feel overwhelmed. Accepting your situation and working within your abilities will help avoid burnout.
Talk it out:
Asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of, talk to friends, family, or your tutor about how you are feeling. Vocalising what you are struggling with allows you to resolve the issue a lot faster.
How to make studying fun and effective:
Making studying fun will make it more engaging, effective, and less stressful. Not sure where to begin? Here are some ideas to get you started.
Find a comfortable place to study:
Whether it’s your bedroom, a library, or a coffee shop, find a place where you feel relaxed and focused in to maximise your productivity.
Break up your study sessions:
Take breaks every 30-40 minutes to recharge your brain and prevent burnout. Take advantage of this to get a snack or relax for a while.
Make a study playlist:
Make a playlist of songs that help you concentrate and stay motivated while studying. For instance, Spotify has excellent playlists that are updated daily and are carefully crafted to improve focus.
Use visual aids:
Use visual aids such as diagrams, mind maps, or flashcards to help you retain and recall information more easily.
Teach someone else:
An effective way of testing your knowledge is to teach someone else. Consider finding a study buddy or a family member to teach them what you have learned.
Parent survival guide
How to support your child through the exam season:
Offer practical support by helping your child create a schedule or timetable that works for them. Ensure they take regular breaks and that revision does not take up all their free and social time.
Let your child know that it is normal to be stressed during the exam season. If you notice their stress is becoming serious, talk to them or encourage them to talk to their teacher or school counsellor.
Help your child find an environment they feel comfortable revising in, whether it be at home, in school, or even at libraries or coffee shops, with or without friends around.
Encourage active learning techniques such as flashcards, mind maps, and past exam papers. Minimise distractions such as phones, TV and social media during revision time.
Most importantly, be positive during their exam period. Remind them to do their personal best and not compare themselves to others. Encourage them to focus on what went well, rather than what they missed or struggled with.
From everyone at Blue Stamp Travel, best of luck with your exams, you’ll smash it!
For more study tips, check out the learning materials on our classroom resources page.
