Exam season is stressful. Between late-night study sessions and busy schedules, your student can easily neglect their health.
During the stress of exams, your support and gentle encouragement can help your student stay motivated, confident, and healthy.
Voice your pride and positivity.
Reminding your student that success is not dependent on grades and promoting a positive mindset can help them feel less stressed going into their exams.
- Be clear. Consider telling your student you’re proud of them regardless of their exam performance. Help them focus on their effort rather than the outcome, which can help your student feel less stressed.
- Be positive. If your student doubts their capabilities or convinces themselves they’ll fail, reminding them of their accomplishments or good qualities can put them in a more positive mindset. Acknowledging how they’re feeling is important, but letting them fall into negativity may make them feel more stressed and unprepared. Support healthy habits
Your student may neglect their health while preparing for exams. Gentle reminders can help your student stay well, focused, and strong.
- Sleep. While studying for exams, your student might stay up later than usual, or even pull an all-nighter. Gently remind your student to go to bed early, to sleep in if they can, and to take naps.
- Movement. Remind your student to fit movement into their day, even if it’s just a quick stroll. Movement can help your student feel more relaxed and refreshed.
- Personal hygiene. Your student may also neglect their personal hygiene as they prepare for exams. Gently remind them that brushing their teeth, wearing fresh clothes, and taking a shower at least once a day will make them feel fresher and more focused. Your student may appreciate this gentle nudge, seeing it as a much-needed reminder.
- Clean. While cleaning is probably the last thing on your student’s mind, having a neat study space can help them be more focused. Suggest to your student they may want to do a quick tidy.
Calm communication
During this time, your student may reach out to you more than they normally do. Consider these strategies to keep communication calm to avoid adding stress to your student’s plate.
- Give up the reins. Consider giving your student the freedom to guide the conversation. Allow them to dictate what they need, whether it’s support or simply a space to vent. This can help them feel heard.
- Settle into the silence. Sometimes, your student simply wants to vent. Let them, and consider staying silent to give them the space they need to get some things off their chest.
- Be a cheerleader. Exam stress can make your student feel less than optimistic. Consider being a light in their day. Try sending an encouraging text in the morning, or perhaps remind them of their accomplishments when you talk on the phone. Your optimism may help your student feel more motivated.
Takeaways
Exam preparation can be hard on your student, causing them to feel overwhelmed and to even neglect their health. Your support can help them tackle their exams with confidence. Voicing your pride in your student and positivity about their capabilities can help your student feel motivated and supported. Gentle reminders of healthy habits can help your student stay strong and well. And calm communication strategies can help your student feel heard and uplifted.