Year 6 can be a stressful year, with 11+ exams and SATs occurring this year. Exams can be stressful, but with the right strategies, students can manage their stress and perform their best. This guide is packed with fun tips and informative advice for both children and parents to help make the exam period easier to manage.
Understanding Exam Stress
First, it’s important to understand what exam stress is. Stress is a natural response to challenging situations, and exams are no exception. When managed well, a little stress is actually very healthy as it helps you stay focused and motivated. However, too much stress can feel overwhelming and affect your performance and well-being negatively. It is important not to be scared of stress. Being comfortable with feeling a little bit stressed will help ease the nerves so that you feel more excited and ready to take on exams, rather than dreadful and worried all the time
Fun and Effective Tips for Students
- Stay Organized: Keep a study schedule. Use a colourful planner or a fun app to track your subjects and study times. Breaking down your study time into smaller, manageable chunks can make the workload seem less daunting. It will also make you more productive and work better because you use up less mental energy trying to figure out what to do in the moment.
- Create a Study Zone: Find a quiet, comfortable spot to study. Decorate it with your favourite posters, plants, or even a little desk toy. Don’t go too overboard! The exam halls won’t look like this, so it’s sensible to get a balance between a space that feels safe and comfortable, but also mimics the exam environment. This space should be free from distractions, so you can focus better and more deeply
- Take Breaks: Don’t study for hours without a break. Use the Pomodoro Technique: study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. After four rounds, take a longer break (15-30 minutes). Use your breaks to stretch, have a snack, or dance to your favourite song. Let out all your excess energy and refresh your mind and body!
- Get Active: Physical activity is a great stress reliever. Go for a run, play a sport, or simply take a walk. Exercise releases endorphins. These are chemicals in our body which help to reduce stress, helping us feel more relaxed and happier.
- Stay Positive: Replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Instead of thinking, “I can’t do this,” try saying, “I’ve got this! I will try my best at this!” Write down your achievements, no matter how small, to remind yourself of your progress.
- Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness can help you stay calm and focused. Try deep breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga. Apps like Headspace or Calm can guide you through mindfulness practices.
- Sleep Well: A good night’s sleep is crucial. Aim for 8-10 hours of sleep each night. Create a bedtime routine: read a book, listen to calming music, or take a warm bath to help you unwind and feel sleepier. Stay away from technology at least 30 minutes before bedtime, or if necessary, switch over to night light (orange).
- Healthy Eating: Fuel your brain with nutritious foods. Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein. Avoid too much sugar and caffeine, which can make you feel jittery and anxious.
- Talk About It: Share your feelings with someone you trust, like a parent, teacher, or friend. Talking about your worries can make them seem less scary and help you find solutions that directly target any negative and overwhelming feelings you may have
- Have Fun: Make time for activities you enjoy. Whether it’s playing a game, drawing, or hanging out with friends, doing something fun can help you relax and recharge.
- Aim high and have a clear goal: Strive for the best! You know yourself best, so aim to achieve higher than what you know you are capable of so that you can do the best you can in exams! By implementing all the other tips above, you should have a safe and positive environment in which to learn, so push yourself towards a very clear goal.
Helpful Tips for Parents
- Create a Supportive Environment: Encourage a positive study environment at home. Ensure your child has a quiet, well-lit space to study and all the necessary supplies. If this means that they have to leave the house and go to a library, try and make space and time in the week for them to have a 2 hour study session at the local library.
- Be Involved: Show interest in your child’s studies and progress. Help them create a study schedule and check in regularly to see how they’re doing. Discuss with them what is working well and what is not. You can check in with a tutor or school teacher about things your child may be struggling with.
- Encourage Breaks: Remind your child to take regular breaks to avoid burnout. Encourage them to engage in physical activities or hobbies they enjoy during these breaks.
- Promote Healthy Habits: Ensure your child is eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and staying active. These habits are crucial for maintaining their energy and focus. Build these into your home routine. It won’t always be perfectly maintained, but as long as they have a routine for most of the days of the week, this will help them with their educational journey.
- Stay Positive: Encourage a positive mindset. Praise their efforts and achievements and help them see mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow.
- Practise Relaxation Techniques: Teach your child relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation (this is where you tense up your muscles and slowly start to relax them), or visualization (this is where you encourage your child to picture something calm in their mind). Practise these together to make them more effective.
- Monitor Stress Levels: Keep an eye on your child’s stress levels. If they seem overwhelmed, help them break down their tasks into smaller, more manageable parts and reassure them that it’s okay to ask for help. Guide them through their tasks and try to address the stress first before they get started on work.
- Set Realistic Expectations: Encourage your child to do their best but avoid putting too much pressure on them. Remind them that exams are just one part of their education and not the only measure of their academic abilities.
- Be a Role Model: Demonstrate how you handle stress and challenges in your own life. Your child can learn valuable coping strategies by observing how you manage difficult situations.
- Seek Professional Help if Needed: If your child’s stress seems unmanageable, consider seeking help from a school counsellor, psychologist, or other mental health professional.
Fun Study Techniques
- Make a Game of It: Turn studying into a game. Use flashcards, quizzes, or educational apps to make learning more interactive and fun.
- Study with Friends: Form a study group with friends. You can quiz each other, share notes, and support each other through the study process.
- Use Mnemonics: Create funny acronyms or songs to remember information. This can make studying more enjoyable. These are also easier to remember, so will help with memory, especially where you have to learn a lot of information!
- Visual Aids: If your child is a visual learner, use charts, diagrams, and colourful notes to help visualize information. Drawing mind maps can also be a great way to organize your thoughts. Visual aids are great to use as well during planning stages, for example, in English when planning a story-writing task.
- Teach Someone Else: Explaining what you’ve learned to someone else can reinforce your understanding. Encourage children to teach you, a sibling, or even a pet!
How can Educate Excellence help?
Here at Educate Excellence we support children and parents during exam season with resources on our online portal. If you need any help or advice, please contact Fayas, our head of education, or our PLOs who will be happy to provide advice where they can.
For students, exams are an important part of their academic journey.. By staying organized, maintaining healthy habits, and using fun study techniques, you can manage exam stress effectively. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help when you need it, and taking care of your mental and physical well-being is just as important as your academic success. Parents, your support and encouragement are crucial during this time. By creating a positive and stress-free environment, you can help your child navigate the exam period healthily and with confidence
So, gear up, stay positive, and remember to have fun along the way. Good luck with your exams – you’ve got this!
