Exam season is a time of high stress and a lack of sleep for many students. High school exams can be a daunting prospect for anyone, but with a few simple techniques, you can help ease your high school student’s anxiety and make the experience a little less stressful. Here are a few tips to help your student prepare for exams.
Help your child create a study plan
One of the best ways to ease anxiety from subject area exams is to have a plan in place. Help your child create a study schedule that outlines what they will study each day, and make sure they stick to it. This will help them stay on track and feel more prepared for the exam. If your child feels overwhelmed, encourage them to talk to their teacher or another trusted adult about their fears and concerns. Finally, practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or yoga to calm the mind and body before each study session. With a little bit of preparation and organization, your child can ace their exams.
Make sure your child gets enough sleep
Most students know they need to be well-rested to do well on a big test. However, many students don’t realize that this means getting plenty of sleep in the weeks leading up to the test, not just the night before. In fact, research shows that students who get less than eight hours of sleep in the weeks leading up to a test typically perform worse than those who get more sleep. This is because lack of sleep can lead to decreased focus, decreased energy, and decreased motivation.
So, how can you help your child get enough sleep in the weeks leading up to a big test? First, make sure your child has a regular sleep schedule and goes to bed and wakes up at the same time each day. Second, create a relaxing bedtime routine that includes winding down for 30 minutes before bedtime. Third, limit screen time before bed. And finally, make sure your child gets at least eight hours of sleep each night.
Encourage your child to take breaks
One of the biggest challenges students face is staying focused while studying for long periods. This is especially difficult if they start to feel overwhelmed. To help them stay on track, students need to take breaks while studying. Encourage your child to take a few minutes every hour to walk around, get a drink, or take a quick nap. This will help them stay focused and refreshed.
Create a Stress-Free Environment
It’s no secret that exams can be incredibly stressful for students of all ages. But there are things you can do to help minimize your child’s stress and make the experience as positive as possible. The most important thing is to create a stress-free environment in the lead-up to the exam. Make sure your child has plenty of time to study and that they’re not feeling overwhelmed or pressured.
Encourage your child to take breaks and get some exercise. This can help them to stay focused and relaxed. And make sure they get a good night’s sleep before the exam. If your child is feeling stressed, suggest some relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation. And remind them that it’s ok to make mistakes—everyone learns from their mistakes, and everyone performs differently under pressure.
Cheer them on
The best thing you can do to help your child during exams is to offer your support and encouragement. Let them know that you believe in them, and remind them that you’re proud of them no matter what the results are. You can also give them positive affirmations and words of encouragement while they study. If you have time, consider playing study games with them and reward them with positivity when they get an answer right. The more encouragement they get, the more likely they’ll dedicate more time to their studies and feel comfortable with taking their exams.
While exams are often challenging, there are ways to make the preparation process less anxiety-inducing. By following this guide, you’ll ensure your high school student prepares for their big tests without breaking a sweat.