Exam for students means a dreadful time to deal with. Exam time is very stressful for both parents and children [Child stress].
Stress in life is very helpful, as it inspires us to perform tasks and propels to achieve things enthusiastically.
However, too much stress is very damaging and it generally occurs when we lack confidence and worry that we are incapable of doing anything efficiently.
When exams are nearby, children often worry about their exams and buckle under some stress and pressure. Parents, on the other hand, also worry as much as their children do.
For them, it is something like experiencing their most horrible phase in life with full of stress. This stress leads to regular irritation, depression, fatigue, sleeplessness, headache, body pains, and lack of appetite.
The parental stress can also affect children, if parents undergo excessive stress because of their child’s exam. Loss of interest to study, memory lapse, lack of ability to concentrate for long periods and headache, mild fever, and stomachache are the result of parental stress in children.
What can parents do to reduce stress?
Often, parents feel that they can do nothing to reduce the exam stress and fear in their child. However, as a parent, you have several ways through which you can help your child–and yourself–pass through this stressful time.
- As a parent, pay special attention towards your child and encourage him/her to overcome their worries and gain confidence to go through their exams successfully.
- Do not show over-attention and keep over-expectations. Always be affectionate, supportive, and a study partner in their academic activities.
- Take time, spend with your child, and reassure that you are always with him/her to support and encourage.
- Concentrate on the nutrition, as it can influence more on exam stress in you and your child. So, plan a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables and low fat, low-sugar, and low-caffeine foods that increase memory power.
- Also, ensure that your child is sleeping well for about 6-8 hours. This helps in increasing the thinking and concentration power of your child.
- Remind your child that nervousness is a common phenomenon for every student. Explain the child that nervousness can make him/her lose confidence and the key is to set these nerves to activist use.
- Focus on your kid’s activeness. Encourage your child to follow an exercise routine, as it helps enhance their energy levels, ease stress and increases concentration and memory power.
- Never set rules for studying; allow your child to go with his/her schedule while studying. Instead, assist your child in drawing up a regular study time schedule.
- Do not add stress and pressure, be a good listener and listen to them, give support and stay away from criticism.
- After completing an exam, discuss about the paper and encourage your child to move ahead, focus on the next test, and do better in the coming exams. Also, encourage your child to concentrate on the next test rather than thinking on the finished exam that no one can change.
Remember that exam is not the end of everything. If the child do not do well in the exam, encourage him/her to take the exam again and succeed in it.
