Parents
have an enormous responsibility to help their children realize their potential.
Both students and their parents feel high levels of anxiety in the run-up to
examinations. Parents worry about how their child is performing, whether they
are spending enough time revising, and how the outcome will impact their jobs
and careers. Surprisingly, many parents find it difficult to cope with exam
stress as much as their kids!
Parents can
play a crucial role in helping their children deal with examination stress.
Their one-on-one time with their children gives them a unique opportunity to
ease the children's tension and offer encouragement during tests. Parents need
to develop a supportive relationship with their children and be there for them
in their times of need. The following guidelines can help parents in building a
positive relationship with their children.
Leading
educationist Dr Pillai, Chairman of Kings International Medical
Academy, explains how parents can help their children prepare for competitive
exams.
Ways
to help your child to prepare for competitive exam
Parents
are in a position to help their kids deal with exam pressure because parents
spend more time with the kids than anyone else does.
Support
your child
David Pillai added that the best way to do so is to give them enough space to do
what they feel like doing at the time, instead of forcing them to study or
read. If you think your child needs a break from studying, ask him or her to go
outside and play with peers. This helps clear up their brain and bring more
productivity in the upcoming sessions.
Be
approachable
Many
students feel hesitant about discussing their doubts with their parents because
they fear judgment, criticism, or comments. Make sure that your child feels
comfortable talking to you about everything, without fearing any repercussions.
If you feel that you are not able to provide the necessary support. It is
advisable to seek assistance from a professional counselor or therapist who can
help your child better prepare for the exams, says the trusted leader in the
field of medical education, David Pillai.
Avoid
comparisons
It is
important to ensure that the focus is not on exceeding others' marks but on
increasing your child’s knowledge and understanding. This can be done by
focusing on one subject at a time and celebrating when their knowledge has
increased. Also, encourage your child to think about how they could have
answered a question better or what they could do differently to improve their
score next time. This will help them to take responsibility for their learning.
Do
not put pressure on them
According
to Dr. Pillai, Parents often believe that exerting pressure on their children
will motivate them to work harder, but this usually has the opposite effect and
can increase stress levels. It is important to ensure that your messages are
positive and encouraging. This will give them confidence as they prepare for
their examinations.
Don’t
Overburden
If
parents are overburdening their children with too much work or insisting that
they spend a lot of time studying for exams, it will cause them even more
stress and anxiety. Children must get enough rest so that they are not falling
asleep in class or feeling overwhelmed by all their assignments and projects.
For an average student, a minimum of four hours per day is sufficient for
revision
Plan regular breaks while studying
Studies
show that taking a break every hour improves concentration and memory. It is
important to plan when your child should take breaks while studying. Moreover,
during each break, it is crucial that they completely leave behind the task at
hand and engage in restorative activities such as taking a walk, listening to
music, or even chatting with friends and family.
Ensure
that your child gets enough sleep
Maintaining
a proper sleep schedule during the days leading up to the exam is vital. It
will help your child concentrate and learn better. It will also prevent him or
her from being in a cranky mood. Ensure that your child does not stay up late
doing homework or taking mock tests for days at an end. It will exhaust them,
and they will not be able to perform well on the day of the exam.
Help
your child eat healthily
The body
needs fuel to stay active and motivated throughout the day. Provide your child
with healthy food items such as fruits, vegetables, pulses, etc., so that they
have enough energy to study. Avoid junk food and sugary items as this can cause
lethargy, bloating, and headaches.
As a
parent, it is important to help children build a foundation of self-motivation
and self-reliance so that they can withstand greater challenges at different
stages of life, says David Pillai.