Leadership's Letter
Supporting your son through exam time
While exams may feel a little way off, building the right routines now lays the groundwork for confidence when they arrive. Healthy habits, effective study practices and early stress management all make a real difference. Parents have a vital role in keeping their sons steady, grounded, and confident throughout the exam period.
Build Healthy Foundations Early
The weeks leading up to exams are about setting up routines that support focus and wellbeing. Sleep (8–10 hours), good nutrition, regular exercise and time for hobbies or social connection are all part of the picture. Without these foundations, students can enter the exam period already tired or overwhelmed. Watch for changes in mood, sleep, motivation or interest in things he usually enjoys, as these can signal he needs to slow down and reset.
Parent tip: Purposefully weave rest and fun into his week. You might say, “You’ve been working hard. Why don’t we take a break and do something fun together this weekend?”
Study with Structure
Effective preparation isn’t about endless hours at the desk. It’s about consistent, focused effort. Encourage your son to use a simple study timetable, break tasks into smaller achievable goals, tackle the hardest subjects first, and use distractions as rewards once the work is done.
You can support him by helping create a calm study environment, checking in regularly (without hovering), and praising effort rather than just results. Feeling nervous is normal, and it doesn’t mean he’s unprepared; it means he cares. Remind him that doing his best with the circumstances he has is enough.
Parent tip: Notice and name his effort. Try saying, “I can see how much thought you’re putting into your study plan. That consistency is what will help you on exam day.”
When Pressure Hits
As exams approach, your son may feel overwhelmed, and this can show up as procrastination, snapping or shutting down. This is when your calm presence matters most. Encourage him to talk, whether to you, another family member (such as a sibling or cousin who has been through this before) or someone at school, a trusted subject teacher, his Year Level Leader, or one of our psychologists at Mazenod. Asking for help is a sign of strength.
Parent tip: Keep perspective when he can’t. You might say, “It feels like a lot right now, but let’s take it one step at a time,” or, “What matters is that you gave it your best shot.”
On Exam Day
Preparation matters, but so does mindset. Strategies that can help include:
Deep breathing: Slow, deliberate breaths lower heart rate and calm racing thoughts. Try Box Breathing: in for four, hold for four, out for four.
Stretching or movement breaks: Gentle movement releases tension and improves alertness.
Quiet reflection or visualisation: A moment to picture himself working calmly through the exam can help him feel grounded.
When he faces a question he can’t answer straight away, normalise it: most people meet harder questions in every exam. He can set it aside and come back if time allows. When self-doubt shows up, it can help to acknowledge it without letting it take over. Some students find it useful to respond with something like, “Thank you mind, I knew you’d show up. But right now, I’m focusing on the question in front of me.”
Parent tip: Offer reassurance without adding pressure. Try, “Trust the work you’ve done. Take it one question at a time.”
After the Exam
Whether the result feels like a win or a learning curve, encourage your son to reflect with self-compassion. Celebrate his effort, not just the grade. Rest and recovery are just as important as preparation.
Parent tip: Mark the finish line. You might say, “I’m proud of the way you approached this exam period. Let’s do something together to celebrate.”
Balancing preparation, rest, mindset and support sets your son up not just for academic success, but for resilience and confidence that will carry him well beyond the classroom. If you feel your son would benefit from further support, please speak with your son’s Year Level Leader or encourage him to reach out to the psychologists at counsellors@mazenod.vic.edu.au.
Rebeca Ferrarotto
College Psychologist