This time of year is so difficult for many young people as they face their exams. It’s so important to stay mentally healthy during exam time. I’ve been reading up some tips on Young Minds and I’d like to share some with you.
Staying Mentally Healthy During Exam Time Tips.
Breathing: We all know how to breathe, but controlling your breathing is a great way of staying calm. I always find that in times of stress just taking a few deep, relaxing breaths can help. If you feel the stress building up then focus a little on your breathing, try breathing out a little longer than breathing in. Count as you do this, out for 7 in for 6. Or whatever feels most comfortable for you.
Ask For Help: A lot of young people don’t realise they are not facing this alone. There are people who will help if you only ask. Teachers, support workers, parents, even other students.
Pace yourself: Do things that work for you. If you don’t take regular breaks and do something else you may find you get information overload, which can affect your memory during the exam. Everyone is different, some like to work for hours before a break, others prefer to do little bits at a time. Find your own pace and work to it.
Plan Rewards: It’s always nice to have something to look forward to, even more so after a stressful exam period. Treat yourself after each exam with something simple, and plan something bigger for when it’s all over. Talk to your parents or friends. Make it something you can really look forward to.
Practice Papers: You may think that the exams are bad enough that you don’t want to do even more, but practice papers are not scored, they just give you a great idea what to expect and may make you feel better or give you a good idea where you need to focus your revision.
Self-Care: Remember to have regular breaks, to eat and sleep properly and to do things that make you feel good. It’s not all work, work, work. Even a five minute break can be good, but you could probably fit in an hour to look after yourself.
Remember, it doesn’t last for long, the hard work has already been done, now it’s just time to show what you’ve learnt. If things don’t go well, it’s not the end of the world, a lot of colleges will still keep your place and allow you to improve your scores at the same time. Learning can continue for many years. There is always time to catch up and improve.
My mantra to my daughter, currently doing her GCSEs is to ‘keep calm and do your best.’
Mind Cards For Kids
In my online shop I sell Mind Cards for Kids. These can give your child a chance to take five minutes to focus on something else.
LSW Mind Cards: Kids’ Edition make it fun and easy for you to introduce the power of mindfulness, gratitude and affirmations, and help your child to keep calm, understand their feelings and focus on the present.
The actions on the cards will encourage compassion, empathy and self-love.
For a 10% discount use the code NEW10 at checkout.
After the Exams
After the exams your child will be looking forward to the rest of their life, maybe going to college or looking for a job. Or even both. Emma and Three has written a great post on jobs for Students.
This is some great advice.
We have made some plans for when the exams have finished as a treat for my youngest. I think we will all be ready for something special.
We have said to my youngest that there is no pressure to revise at home now as they are doing so much revision in school around the exams. I think that has helped her relax and not stress too much. x