Students take exams several times throughout an entire school year. Although they have plenty of test-taking experiences, just like other students, they will still feel worried about the whole process. They will also be anxious about the results as well.
A trusted psychologist from Bondi Junction says that being worried about an upcoming test can be helpful in some ways. Kids who are nervous about taking an exam will study harder to ensure they will get a good score.
Unfortunately, when children worry too much about their exams, their stress and nervousness would work against them. They will start to think that they will fail even if they study. They will focus on this thought that they will not do well at all.
Even some kids who prepare well for their test might still feel the effects of their stress on test day. They will suddenly forget what they studied, which will cause them to guess at the answers or leave several items blank. This will result in these students’ getting low or even failing marks.
How to Support Your Kids during Exam Week
Test stress does not only affect children’s academic performance; it can also impact their self-esteem and mental health.
As a parent, you can help your kids manage their stress before, during, and after their exams. By doing so, you will give them the leg up they need to perform well on their test. Your children will also get the support they need to prevent their self-confidence from taking a further dip.
Your kids will also have better mental and overall health when you help them deal with exam stress effectively.
Below are five tips for helping your kids manage exam stress:
1. Have a talk with your child
When kids are feeling stressed, they often show obvious signs. These include:
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Frequent complaints of headaches and stomach pains
- Difficulty sleeping
- Having low moods
They will also feel tense and seem negative and hopeless about the future.
Once you notice these signs and you know exams are coming up, talk to your child. Ask them what their biggest worry is about the tests. Find out what other things are making them feel nervous as well. When you have these details, you will be in a better position to help your kid.
Your child will also start to feel better when they start saying their worries out loud. They will realize that they do not have to go through everything alone, which will help dispel their fears.
2. Help your child review for their tests
Hit the books with your child to prepare well for the test. Help them make a study plan to ensure they cover all subject areas and topics.
Find out from your child or their teacher what types of tests, schedules, and topics will be covered. Work with your kid to create a study plan that will allow them to review one or two concepts daily.
When your child studies in chunks, they will find their tasks more manageable. This will help them feel less nervous about the exams.
Try to find out what type of test your child will take. Once you do, prepare review materials following the format. Whether it is a multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank exam, create some sample papers for your child to work on.
3. Teach your child some basic test-taking tips and techniques
Some kids can get stressed out quickly when someone says “exam” because they do not know the basics of test-taking. This is something that you can easily remedy.
Share with your child the test-taking techniques you know. These include not spending too much time on hard questions and applying the process of elimination. Remind them to always check their answers before handing over their test paper as well.
Teaching your child the basic test-taking strategies like reading instructions, and each question carefully will also help them greatly. It will prevent them from making simple mistakes that will affect their performance and test results.
4. Be generous with treats
Motivate your child to study for the exam by giving them rewards when doing revisions. These can be in the form of their favorite snacks or an extra hour of watching TV during the weekend.
Prepare something that your child likes after each exam. This can be a dish they love or a visit to the mall as additional motivation.
You can also promise your child that you will do something special to celebrate if they pass the exam.
5. Provide continuous support and encouragement
There are several ways you can support your child as they deal with test stress. But you have to know when to get additional help.
Ask your child if they would like to enroll at a tutorial center. They will benefit greatly from working with a tutor that is proficient in the subject your child finds challenging.
Constantly give your child truthful and specific praise to remind them that they can have success regardless of the outcome. Explain to them that accomplishments do not always come with scores or grades. Working hard and doing a good job of preparing is already an achievement. Tell them this every time you see them studying and doing their homework.
Your constant praises and show of support will also take off some of the stress your child is feeling.
Even if your child may not tell you that they are under stress or need help, talk to them. Find out what you can do to ensure they stay happy in school and healthy in all aspects.
Dr. Gemma Gladstone is an endorsed clinical psychologist and certified schema therapist, supervisor and trainer. Along with Justine Corry, she is co-director of the Good Mood Clinic in Sydney and has 24 years of experience within mental health.– (Other bio, if requested by client) Justine Corry is a clinical psychologist and enjoys helping people get to the heart of what is not working in their lives. Along with Dr. Gemma Gladstone, she is co-director of the Good Mood Clinic in Sydney and has 10 years of experience within private practice.
