As the end of the school year approaches, it’s natural for parents and students alike to feel a little overwhelmed. With final exams and assessments looming, your child may be facing increased academic pressure, and you’re probably wondering how to best support them through this busy period. But helping your child prepare for end-of-year exams doesn’t have to mean hours of stressful study sessions or family tension. With the right approach, it’s possible to guide your child through this time without sacrificing their wellbeing—or yours.
Here’s a practical guide to help you navigate the next few weeks with confidence, reduce exam-related anxiety, and ensure your child is feeling as prepared as they can be for their exams.
1. Establish a Realistic and Balanced Study Routine
One of the most effective ways to support your child’s exam preparation is by creating a study routine that’s both realistic and manageable. Instead of cramming for hours on end, which can leave your child feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, try breaking up study sessions into smaller, focused blocks of time. This helps maintain concentration and makes the study process feel less daunting.
Encourage your child to start their day with a subject or topic they find easier, to build momentum and confidence before tackling more challenging material. To keep their motivation high, schedule short breaks between study sessions. During these breaks, suggest activities that relax and re-energise them, like a short walk, a few minutes of stretching, or a quick snack.
Most importantly, be flexible with the routine and adjust it based on your child’s needs and energy levels each day. Sometimes, letting them take an unexpected break or shift subjects can make all the difference in their overall productivity and mood.
2. Create a Positive and Supportive Study Environment
Where your child studies can impact their ability to focus and retain information. Set up a dedicated study space that’s free from distractions like TV, mobile phones, or other electronic devices that aren’t needed for their work. A tidy, organised space will help them feel more in control and focused.
Ensure that their study area is well-lit, comfortable, and equipped with all the materials they need, like textbooks, stationery, and any digital resources. A calm and inviting environment can reduce stress and improve concentration. You can also get involved by discussing their progress, offering encouragement, and showing interest in what they’re learning. Just being there and showing support can provide a big morale boost.
3. Prioritise Health and Wellbeing
It’s easy for healthy habits to fall by the wayside when exam pressure mounts. But maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for your child’s ability to learn and perform well.
Ensure that your child is eating nutritious meals, drinking plenty of water, and getting regular exercise. Encourage them to get outdoors for some fresh air or to engage in a physical activity they enjoy. This can help reduce stress, clear their mind, and improve their overall mood.
Getting enough sleep is particularly important during exam preparation. While it might be tempting to allow your child to stay up late revising, sacrificing sleep will likely hinder their ability to focus and retain information the next day. Help them establish a consistent bedtime routine and remind them that rest is just as essential as study.
4. Help Your Child Set Clear and Achievable Goals
Setting small, achievable goals can help your child approach their revision with a sense of direction and purpose. Ask them what they’d like to achieve in each study session and help them break down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces.
For example, instead of setting a broad goal like “revise maths,” encourage them to focus on specific topics such as “practise fractions” or “review geometry formulas.” This makes progress easier to measure and prevents them from feeling overwhelmed by the amount of material they need to cover.
Remind your child to celebrate small wins along the way. Completing a chapter summary, solving a set of practice questions, or understanding a previously challenging concept are all accomplishments worth recognising. Celebrating these wins can build your child’s confidence and keep them motivated.
5. Use Practice Exams Wisely
Practice exams can be incredibly useful for identifying strengths and weaknesses, but they can also cause undue stress if overused. The key is to use them as a tool for learning rather than as a measure of performance.
Encourage your child to approach practice exams as opportunities to become familiar with the types of questions they might face, learn effective time management, and refine their exam techniques. After each practice session, review the results together and discuss areas for improvement. Focus on what can be learned from the experience rather than on the score itself.
Remind your child that making mistakes is part of the learning process and not something to be discouraged by. The aim is to use each practice attempt as a stepping stone toward improvement.
6. Encourage Open Communication and Manage Expectations
It’s important to remind your child that their worth isn’t defined by their exam results. Encourage open communication about how they’re feeling and make sure they know they can come to you with their worries, frustrations, or questions without judgment.
When talking about exams, keep the conversation positive and constructive. Avoid putting too much emphasis on achieving perfect scores or comparing your child’s performance to others. Instead, focus on effort, improvement, and learning.
Be mindful of your own expectations, too. While you want your child to do their best, it’s crucial to keep expectations realistic and considerate of their abilities and circumstances. Your support and understanding will help create a safe space for your child to do their best without feeling unnecessary pressure.
7. Use a Variety of Study Techniques
Variety is key to keeping study sessions interesting and effective. Encourage your child to experiment with different study methods, such as creating mind maps, using flashcards, or teaching you a topic they’ve just revised. Mixing up study techniques not only makes the process more engaging but can also help deepen understanding and retention.
Some children may benefit from using visual aids like diagrams, while others might prefer to listen to audio recordings of their notes or watch educational videos. Help your child discover the methods that work best for them and build these into their routine.
If you notice they’re starting to lose focus or interest, switch up the approach. Trying new techniques can reignite their motivation and reduce frustration.
8. Plan for Downtime and Relaxation
Amidst all the exam preparation, it’s essential to carve out time for your child to relax and have some fun. Schedule breaks and downtime into the study plan, so your child doesn’t feel guilty about taking a breather.
Encourage them to engage in activities they enjoy, whether it’s reading a book for pleasure, spending time with friends, or pursuing a hobby. Having some time away from their studies will help them return to revision refreshed and with a clearer mind.
As a parent, it’s important to remember that exam periods can be just as stressful for you as they are for your child. Take time to care for your own wellbeing and avoid putting too much pressure on yourself to have all the answers. Supporting your child effectively means being calm, patient, and ready to lend a listening ear.
9. Stay Positive and Keep Perspective
It’s natural to want your child to excel, but remember that exams are just one part of the bigger picture. Keeping things in perspective and maintaining a positive outlook will help your child stay calm and focused. Remind them—and yourself—that it’s okay to not know everything and that doing their best is what truly matters.
Finally, no matter the outcome of the exams, be sure to praise your child’s hard work, dedication, and resilience throughout the study period. Knowing that their efforts are appreciated and valued will help build their confidence and foster a positive attitude toward learning, both now and in the future.
By focusing on your child’s overall wellbeing and taking a supportive approach to exam preparation, you’ll help them build not only academic skills but also important life skills like time management, stress reduction, and self-confidence.
So, take a deep breath, keep things balanced, and tackle these final weeks of the school year with confidence. You’ve got this!
TRACEY HAND | CO-FOUNDER
