Exam Survival Guide for C&YP... and YOU!
Top Tips for supporting children
Create a supportive home environment
Set up a quiet area for study.
Be patient and understanding. They maybe more grumpy or irritable than usual
Listen. Make time to hear their worries. Talking can help ease their stress.
Encourage and reassure them. Let them know you value their effort, not the outcome. Focus on their hard work and progress.
Keep to daily routines and maintain a sense of normality. This gives them stability during a hectic time.
Help them balance study and relaxation. Hobbies, time with friends, or getting active helps.
Promote healthy habits
Ensure they eat regular, healthy meals. Limit sugary snacks and drinks.
Encourage a consistent sleep schedule. Most teens need 8–10 hours a night.
Exercise can help lower stress and boost energy. Even a few minutes at a time to break up revision can be beneficial
Collaborate with school
Attend meetings about exams. Contact teachers if you have concerns about your child’s wellbeing.
Stay positive, your mood matters. Try to remain hopeful and positive for your child.
SATS
Keep the run up to SATS week low-pressure. Frame SATs as a chance to show what they have learned.
Encourage a balanced approach to revision. Short sessions work better. Aim for 20–30 minutes at a time.
Help them get familiar with test formats and papers using resources on sites like BBC Bitesize.
Make prep fun. Use games and activities during revision
Read together and discuss what you've read to help boost understanding
Practice maths in everyday activities, like cooking (measuring), shopping (calculating), and telling time.
Encourage positive self-talk. Help children use simple affirmations to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
Maintain Routines. Keep regular routines during SATs week to reduce anxiety.
Plan an end of SATs Treat. Having something to look forward to will be great for all of you.
Spill the beans on SATS
A (tongue-in-cheek and informative) guide for children and parents
GCSE and A Levels
Organisation and time management. Help your child make a balanced revision timetable. Include breaks and prioritise challenging subjects.
Encourage Effective Revision Techniques. Help them discover what suits them best, such as mind maps, flashcards, or practice questions.
Offer support (if possible).Help them understand concepts or test their knowledge.
Encourage your child to turn off phones and social media while studying. Website blockers can help during online research.
Encourage independence. Support their learning and revision without micromanaging.
Plan for the future. Talk about what they want to do after the exams. This can help calm worries about results. Discuss options like further education or apprenticeships.
Plan something fun for after they've finished
Results Day can be emotional. Be prepared. Be supportive, regardless of their results, and help to explore future options.
SATS advice from BBC Newsround
Tips for YOUR wellbeing during exam season
- Acknowledge your stress: It's normal to feel anxious about your child's exams. Recognise these feelings and don't ignore them.
- Manage expectations: Set realistic goals for your child and yourself. Focus on supporting their effort, not just the outcome.
- Prioritise self-care: As you encourage your child to take breaks, look after your own needs too. This includes:
- Rest: Get enough sleep.
- Nutrition: Eat regular, healthy meals.
- Hydration: Drink plenty of water.
- Exercise: Stay active; even a short walk helps.
- Relaxation: Make time for activities you enjoy to de-stress. This could be reading, hobbies, or spending time with friends.
- Maintain perspective: Remember that exams are temporary. Try not to let exam stress take over your home.
- Communicate with others: Talk to your partner, friends, or other parents about your feelings. Sharing can help.
- Avoid comparisons: Don’t compare your child's progress or your stress to other families. Every situation is different.
- Focus on what you can control: You can create a supportive home, manage your reactions, and meet basic needs. You can't control the exam content or results.
- Be a role model: Your child watches how you handle stress. Show them healthy ways to cope.
- Seek support if needed: If you feel overwhelmed, reach out to friends, family, or your GP for help.
- Celebrate the end: Plan something enjoyable for after exams – for you and your child.
By taking care of yourself, you'll be better able to support your child.
Useful websites
- Start Now is Cornwall's wellbeing website for young people, created by young people
- Childline has top tips for C&YP and some super calming activities in the Calm Zone
- YoungMinds offers tips for parents on exam stress and support.
- NHS offers a guide for parents to help children beat exam stress.
- The Children's Society gives practical tips in a parent’s guide to exams.
- Family Lives website has helpful information and links for parents and carers