A child undergoes a tremendous amount of stress during the years of board exams. Therefore, it is essential to support them during this time. Right providing them with encouragement, aiding them in their anxious moments, or helping them recognise their strengths are just some of the ways parents can impact their kids. This support can have a significant impact on their academic and career prospects. By providing emotional support, you can help them manage their stress levels, stay motivated, and perform to the best of their ability. Additionally, providing support during this challenging period can strengthen your relationship with your child and improve their overall well-being.
Here we provide ten tips to support your teenage child during the board exam as suggested by our school counselor:
- Encourage them to take regular breaks and avoid over-studying: It is essential to maintain a balance between studying and taking breaks to avoid burnout. Try and sit with them during those breaks, and take them outdoors if possible for a walk, or an outing to give them a different environment.
- Provide healthy food and drinks: Providing nutritious food and drinks can help them stay energized and focused during their study sessions and exams. You can also use meal times to help them take their mind off other things, and engage them in activities, or subjects outside of their studies.
- Create a conducive study environment: Ensure that your child has a quiet and comfortable place to study without any distractions and avoiding interruptions. Create a supportive environment at home by avoiding unnecessary arguments or distractions that could increase stress levels.
- Help them manage their time effectively: Help your child plan their study schedule and create a study plan that is both efficient and manageable. Assist your child in creating a study schedule and ensure that they stick to it. Encourage them to break their study time into smaller chunks and take regular breaks. You could suggest visiting a cafe together,organising group study dates in a different location, or even helping them set up activity dates with their friends, as part of their scheduling process.
- Provide emotional support: Be a source of emotional support for your child during this stressful time. Encourage them, reassure them, and let them know that you are proud of them. During this time, your child may feel anxious, overwhelmed, or frustrated. Offer them emotional support by listening to their concerns and encouraging them to take breaks and do things they enjoy.
- Practice mindfulness: Encourage your child to practice mindfulness techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or yoga to reduce stress and anxiety.
- Provide study resources: Ensure that your child has access to all the necessary study materials such as textbooks, notes, and previous year’s papers. It might be possible that they may not collect everything in time. Help them review their prep material well in advance so they not only feel motivated to review the material but also feel supported by you in the whole process.
- Help them manage their own expectations: While it’s common for kids to feel very competitive, and put undue pressure on themselves due to peers, help them also contextualise the importance of board exams in the greater scheme of things. By helping them understand what their goals can be, and what they can aim for, you can develop a realistic picture of what they should be aiming for, while keeping in mind their own abilities.
- Celebrate small victories: Celebrate your child’s small victories during their preparation. Encourage your child to celebrate small victories, such as completing a particularly challenging chapter or scoring well in a mock test. Celebrating these milestones can help boost their confidence and keep them motivated.
- Avoid putting too much pressure: While it is essential to motivate your child to do well, it is equally important to avoid putting too much pressure on them. Let them know that their best effort is all that matters.
Remember, the most important thing you can do for your child during exam time is to provide the support your teenager child during board exams. With your encouragement, your child will be better equipped to handle the stress of the exams and succeed.