The exam period can be a stressful time for children, but as parents there is a lot we can do to support them and help them reach their full potential. We can help create the right environment for revision and encourage our children to adopt healthy lifestyle habits that reduce their anxiety levels and prime them for learning. We also need to avoid putting too much pressure on our children to achieve, which can have a detrimental effect on their exam performance. Here one of the best A Level schools in London explores some of the ways you can help your child ace their school exams.
Create an achievable revision schedule
Help your child design a revision plan they can stick to and which enables them to achieve their goals within the time they have. Work out exactly when the exams are and how much time they have to revise, then schedule revision sessions in small blocks of time. Include time for testing to reinforce their knowledge (something you can help them with), as well as breaks and times for socialising, exercising and relaxing. This is to ensure balance and that your child doesn’t end up feeling burned out.
Provide the right environment
Make sure your child has a space they can revise in that’s quiet and free from distractions. Encourage them to keep their phone away from the area, unless they need it for revision, and ensure the rest of the family knows when they’re revising so they can keep noise down as much as possible. If your child doesn’t have their own room to study in, create an area for them somewhere else in the house which has everything they need (such as textbooks and stationery) and is away from noise and distractions.
Encourage a healthy lifestyle
Eating well, getting enough sleep and exercising regularly will help maintain your child’s energy and motivation levels white they’re revising. They’ll need energy to focus on revision in short bursts of time. Make sure they’re eating a varied and nutritious diet, and avoiding too many sugary foods which can lead to energy slumps. Encourage your child to get outside and do some exercise as a break from their studies and to let off some steam – even better if it’s something fun like kicking a football around in the park. Sleep is also really important to keep them alert and motivated. Try to instill in your child a consistent sleep routine and make sure they’re going to bed early enough to get the amount of sleep their body and mind need to function efficiently.
