From our Counsellors

Supporting Young People with Assessments and Exams

Testing time can be a common period of anxiety for students and parents alike. Parents/carers can play a valuable role in supporting kids and young people to prepare and do well in assessments. There is a balance to strike between providing support and fostering agency and self-efficacy. As you explore some of the strategies below, keep in mind that the idea is to hold our child’s hand as they climb the hill, rather than carrying them or pushing them.   

ENVIRONMENTAL 

• Collaborate with your child to set up a dedicated study space – calm, organised, avoiding unnecessary interruptions. 
• Encourage and support eating well and regularly, staying hydrated, getting physical activity and movement in each day, and having good sleep habits. 
• Provide a positive and compassionate space: under stress, we are more susceptible to hearing criticism, so be mindful of your language – try questions like: “How can I help with your study today?”, rather than “Do you really think social media is a good choice right now?” 

EMOTIONAL 

• Validate exam stress: tune in and acknowledge their feelings about assessments/exams, ask them what they need, what works for them, and check in with how they are doing. 
• Offer reassurance: remind your child of how proud you are of their efforts, that you are there for them and love them regardless of the outcome. 
• Practice self-awareness and regulation to manage your own anxiety – recognise you are an empathetic adult whose role is guidance, modelling, facilitation, and support. 

 PRACTICAL  

Ask open-ended questions and actively listen to explore their experience and needs: 

• How do you prefer to study and what resources do you need? 
• Are there subjects or topics that you want to talk through? 
• Are there parts of studying that frustrate or overwhelm you? 
• Would you like help with figuring out options or possible solutions? 

Brainstorm and practice coping strategies: 

• Deep breathing – slower exhales than inhales, follow guided audio or video. 
• Using 5 senses to ground to present moment – what do you see, hear, feel, etc.? 
• Noticing sensations in body – describing and feeling, drawing, movement to release,  tensing and releasing muscles.  
• Helping your child visualise and connect to calm place in their mind (ask about what they see, feel, hear, smell, notice sense of safety and calm). 
• Mindfulness and grounding videos on YouTube and apps such as Insight Timer.  

Edith Benardeau-Short

Psychologist

Charlotte Edmonds

Counsellor