Help your child to manage exam stress

Exams are not easy at the best of times, and even more challenging during stressful pandemic conditions.

However, there are ways to control exam stress, said Nomalungelo Ntlokwana, acting director of Emthonjeni Student Wellness at Nelson Mandela University.

She provided the following tips to learners for managing exam stress:

• Be prepared. Start early and don’t cram everything in the night before
• Go with the study method that suits you best
• Work through past exam papers or example questions
• Take breaks. Spend your time in between sessions doing physical activities
• Rest often. Get enough sleep, especially before exams
• Know exam times, venues, and procedures and find out what you can take into the exam venue
• Arrive well before the exam start time.

She further provided five ways parents can support their child during exams:

• Prioritise mental well-being. Identify triggers of stress and feelings that cause fear and anxiety with your child. Help them deal with negativity by finding ways of coping with these feelings, so that they can regain focus and confidence. Ensure that your home provides a calm, productive, and supportive space.
• Proactively manage stress. Be aware of the early warning signs which can include lack of sleep, loss of appetite and being easily distracted. Emphasise the importance of having a healthy mind and help your child to proactively relieve stress by taking regular breaks and even interacting with friends.
• Promote a healthy lifestyle. Studying for exams requires time and effort, but it should not be to the detriment of your child’s health. Ensure they get enough quality sleep and physical exercise, even if it’s walking the dogs around the block. Cook healthy meals, keep nutritional snacks in your pantry, and reduce screen time as much as possible.
• Set realistic expectations. As a parent, you want your child to do well, but it is important that your expectations – as well as your child’s own expectations – are realistic.
• Be an example. Keep cool and stay calm – this is the best way that you can manage your child’s stress.

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