09/10/2023
Exam time;
Candidates and parents/guardians
To you candidates,
set up a good study space, where the only thing you do is study -this means it should Not be your bedroom.
Your brain associates your bedroom with sleep and relaxation while your study space should be associated with work and concentration, quiet and clear of distraction, containing all items you need to carry your studies so you don't have to get up to get things while studying.
Again, avoid multi-tasking
1. Turn off the cell phone and social media, and or leave the cell phone in another room,
2. Put away anything that isn't needed or will grab your attention.
3. Do not study in front of the television
4. Stick to your study schedule
Parents can help
1. Minimising distractions- ensure the child does not revise with their phone within reach, TV on,
2. Support your child to achieve -high parental expectation lead to higher academic achievement, realistically high expectations shouldn't put huge pressure on the child. Family educational psychologist can assist here.
Help children cope with setbacks in that exam period is a highly stressful time and some exams as hoped. Thus, assist your child to overcome the setback. View your child mistakes, however frustrating, as a learning opportunity and not judgement on their ability.
Stay calm and collected - exams can be stressful, not just for kids but for parents too. If you are feeling anxious, try to hide it from your child, so they don't feel even more stressed.
Just try to stay positive and keep reminding them of the times and events they've been successful.
Encourage healthy habits - encourage them to eat healthy foods, get enough rest as it will help them focus and retain and recall information better.
Encourage them to disconnect from electronic gadgets.
Remind your child that he/she has studied harder and are prepared. This will try to help them to stay calm, focused and encouraged. Implied here is avoid anxiety, stress, panic etc as they may be contagious and lead to poor performance. Encourage positive talk all the way.
Finally, try to secure an educational psychologist for your child to advise on strategies to help child with positive motivation, family support strategies, learning styles and strategies. Just like athletes, students need the support of educational psychologist.
Your take home; play your important role in helping your child prepare and pass examinations; stay calm and collected, encourage healthy habits, help them focus on positive talk.
Shalom!!!!!!!!
