Counselling & Psychological Services

As the end of the school year approaches, students in Years 7-10 will sit their end-of-year exams. For parents, this can be a stressful time too, as it is natural to want your child to be well-prepared and confident. Your support and encouragement go a long way in helping them to do their best. Here are some tips to help parents provide support in the lead up to, and during exams.

1. Provide a supportive environment: Create a positive and conducive study environment at home. Ensure your child has a quiet and organised space for studying, with all the necessary materials. 
    
2. Emphasise the importance of self-care and breaks: It's not productive to study for hours on end without rest. Encourage your child to take regular breaks to recharge, engage in hobbies, and spend time with friends and family. Encourage your child to maintain a healthy lifestyle during exam time. This means making sure they are getting enough sleep, eating balanced meals, and engaging in physical activity. It can be tempting for teens to stay up late cramming for exams however, a well-rested and nourished mind is more capable of focusing, retaining information and performing at its best.  
    
3. Normalise exam stress: A little stress for a short period of time can be productive and can motivate you to perform at your best. However too much stress can negatively impact physical and mental wellbeing and get in the way of being able to study or demonstrate knowledge in an exam. Remind your child that it's okay to feel nervous but that stress can be controlled through healthy coping skills such as deep breathing, mindfulness and physical exercise.
    
4. After exams, reflect and plan: Once exams are over, take time to reflect on what went well and what could be better next time. Use this reflection as a basis for planning for exams next time. 

Finally, it is important that while encouraging our children to do their best, we should also remind them that their success is not determined solely by exam results, but by their ability to adapt, communicate and pursue their dreams. An exam will not tell us that they are a kind and reliable friend, a diligent and respectful student, someone who participates in a range of cocurricular activities; who sings, dances, plays the trumpet, volunteers in the community and whose inclusiveness makes those around them feel a sense of belonging.