Exams are stressful for everyone – whether it’s a student appearing for the JEE or a tiny tot who’s going to be asked to solve a 2+2 equation. Irrespective of age, exam related tension can be attributed to many things, namely, being stressed over revision time, scoring sufficient marks, and feeling the weight of expectations from school, peers & family.
What makes matters worse is that ‘discussing’ exam pressure or airing uneasiness over a particular subject is often looked down upon; giving the child/ student the impression that no one else is concerned about empathizing with them.
As a parent, if you think your child is finding ways to contain this pressure and attempting to manage it all alone, take a few proactive steps, for, this kind of stress-induced behaviour can only work to exacerbate the pressure on the child.
CONSOLIDATE, ORGANISE AND ASSIST YOUR CHILD
As a parent, you may have already realized that managing exam pressure is not a choice but an essential part of the child’s life. It is essential they know ‘how’ to deal with this pressure and discover the methods for managing stress and burnouts.
Below, we’ve put together some useful tips that will help them deal with the pressure and ensure they get past the exam fever-
- Start getting ready ahead of schedule
Sounds easy, doesn’t it? But there’s a reason we’ve featured it first on our list for one – It works like magic. And while this may appear to sound irrational, splitting the portion on a piecemeal basis and studying in smaller-than-expected sessions from the start of the term ensures that there is sufficient time for revision.
Advice children to invest a good amount of energy concentrating over a staggered (extended) period rather than packing it all in one lengthy study time.
Studies show that children who study for long hours without breaks, tend to be incapable of having the energy for other activities – even leisurely ones. Besides, 25 minutes is the average time frame within which attention spans tend to be highest.
For students in higher classes, ’’Cram jam, or Packing in” shouldn’t be the go-to strategy for learning complex material.
- Help them maintain a strategic distance from upsetting individuals
You know what can be annoying and seriously infectious for children during exams? Their stressful peers.
During the week preceding exams or during exam time, encourage your child to study with children who are good time managers and organized their study schedules.
Counsel children to fight the temptation when it comes to organizing study sessions with super-tense companions, particularly the grouchy ones who grumble about pretty much everything under the sun.
Their pressure will just add to your child’s pressure – and you don’t want your kid to carry that additional burden, do you?
- God is in the details – plan for each day
As a parent, you’d like for your child to be organized and structured about their study time. But, let’s face it, children, especially the little ones, need help at making time tables and sticking to them thereafter.
As a parent, you can help them designate a specific measure of time for each activity in their day. Allow for their ‘me’ time, companion time and exercises too. Likewise, strike off the activity when the child has completed the action on their everyday plan. Put stars or smiley emoji for each time the child has completed the designated task at the precise time.
For those of whom every minute is most precious, especially the students in higher classes, prepare and help them adhere to a set calendar – One that is dynamic and can be calibrated as per the week.
Here, sticking to the plan is key and performing various tasks (multitasking) at any time of day can prove to be a profound waste of time!
Ace the exam like a pro
At SSVM World School, we do everything in our capacity to empower parents and educators with techniques that help with stress-management for children. Featured among the Top 10 CBSE schools in Coimbatore, SSVM World School has proven methods of offsetting exam pressure with creative stress-busters and an engaging activity calendar that helps children deal with their study portion as well as their productivity.
