Education Eye: Typical! Sun comes out and it’s time for revision

Isn’t it typical that just as the exam season gets into full swing, the sun emerges, tempting exam candidates away from their books?
Catherine StokerCatherine Stoker
Catherine Stoker

I do wonder sometimes why we take exams during the summer instead of in the depths of winter when no-one minds being cooped up inside with their head in a book. Wouldn’t exams in the lead up to Easter make more sense?

Despite idealistic observations, there is no doubt about it-we are now mid-exam season.

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Many homes will be touched by at least one of their offspring facing important future-defining exams over the coming weeks.

Common Entrance, GCSE’s, AS and A Levels, IB all mean the approaching half term will not, for many, be a holiday at all.

How can parents keep the ship on an even keel making sure the time is used wisely to enhance performance in the coming weeks?

Coping with exam-stressed hormonal teenagers can be tricky.

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Planning, environment, reassurance, motivation and fun are the main survival techniques.Plan the family timetable carefully allocating time for revision, interspersed with brain-food, social media, rest and relaxation.

Discuss in advance, agreeing expectations at the outset.

Check their workspace environment has fresh air, natural light, water and everything they need for revision to hand-books, files, post-it notes, highlighter pens.

Remove social media temptations such as smart phones.

Inject a bit of motivation.

Discuss why exam results are important as part of the bigger picture for the future. Particularly with boys, understanding why they must work hard to achieve certain grades goes a long way to motivating them to put in the effort. Set challenging but realistic goals and dangle a few carrots.Engage in conversation to discreetly eke out how things are going in a calm and reassuring way.

Avoid nagging and remember boosting confidence is critical.

Have some fun. Working hard in concentrated periods is far easier if there are opportunities to get away from the revision environment for rest and recuperation.

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