How to help your child cope with exam stress

This is exam season, a stressful time for both teenagers and their parents. If you are a parent or a caregiver you may be wondering what can I do to help my young person cope with exam stress?

There are a number of things that you can do but first of all it can be helpful to recognise that we are all different and unique. Some young people may seem able to handle exam pressure quite well,  yet they may be masking their emotions whilst feeling stressed and anxious whereas others may be having emotional meltdowns and letting everyone know just how they are feeling. Either way, most young people who want to do well in their exams are likely to be feeling some degree of stress and anxiety at this time and that is perfectly natural. In this blogpost I am covering some exam stress tips for parents and caregivers to help you and your young person get through the exam season.

Communicate

Talking to your young person and allowing them to express their feelings, if possible, can be helpful. Bottling things up inside can lead to lead to more problems, so letting your child know that you are there for them with love and support can go a long way. If they are occasionally moody or bad tempered, remember this is a tough time for them, so just let it go.

Have a plan

It is highly likely that your young person’s school has given them a framework for planning and creating their own revision timetable. You could ask your young person about this, not to check up on them, but to see if it is working for them and if they need any help to organise and structure their time around revision. When looking at their exam timetable or schedule ensure that downtime is included too.

No pressure

A revision timetable can be helpful but avoid pressurising your child to do more than they can cope with on any given day. So often, children will absorb the expectations of the adults who are important to them and internalise these. This is especially true of conscientious children who want to do well and please others, but too much pressure will increase exam anxiety. This in turn will make it more difficult for a young person to focus and concentrate on their studies.

Positive rewards

We all need to be rewarded for hard work and for doing our personal best. This encourages us to keep going and gives us an emotional lift so small and regular rewards during the exam season can be motivating.

Self-care

Ensure that your young person is taking care of themselves by eating healthy regular meals, avoiding junk food, which is not good for their hard-working brain, taking regular breaks, having some fresh air and most importantly, getting enough sleep.

Balance

The exam season can feel overwhelming for some children. It is essential that a young person maintains a balanced life. It must not be about revision all the time. Down time is necessary for young people to relax and refresh their mind so that they do not burn out. A day off at the weekend can help your young person to recognise that there is more to life than exams by connecting with friends and family, their hobbies or interests and enjoying life.

What if they are not coping?

Emotional meltdowns, procrastination, tearfulness, mood swings, insomnia, changes in appetite, social withdrawal, staying in their bedroom all the time – these are some signs that a young person is experiencing moderate to severe stress and anxiety. If you are concerned about your child’s mental health then you may want to talk to your GP or seek help from a qualified professional.

Hypnotherapy for exam stress can help

Hypnotherapy is a form of talking therapy that can be particularly helpful for young people who are suffering from exam nerves, exam stress, and anxiety. I help my young clients to calm their mind, enter a state of relaxation and reduce any feelings of stress and anxiety so that they can focus upon their revision and their exam performance, in a positive way.
 
As a solution focused hypnotherapist and former tutor and lecturer, I help children and young people with a range of problems. I am registered with the National Council for Hypnotherapy, the Complementary Natural and Healthcare Council, and I have an Enhanced DBS Certificate.
 
© Tracy Daniels