**Collaborative post**
Preparation is key for exam success. Typically, the earlier that you can start, the better off you will be when they come around. It gives you more opportunity to solidify what you have learned and ask your teachers for help. As this may be stressful and their first-time sitting exams, your child will need your support and guidance. That might be in the form of reassurance or help with practising. Below we’ve included some tips from a college in Cardiff on how you can best do this below.
Make Sure That They Are Watered and Fed
What your child eats can hugely impact their mood and motivation to study. If they’re filling up on foods with high sugar content and little to no nutritional value, they will most likely experience a “crash” shortly after they’ve eaten and feel lethargic. This is exactly what you want to avoid. Instead, you should make sure that your child is getting their 5-a-day and consuming filling and balanced meals.
Of course, snacks and treats can be added but a balanced diet will help brain focus and energy levels throughout the day.
Make Sure They Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is essential for concentration and the ability to retain information. If your child is getting anything less than 7 to 8 hours of sleep, they’ll have a hard time doing this. Work with them to create a set routine and if they are still struggling, consider possibly getting a professional involved. They will be able to work out why they are struggling (e.g., Stress) and recommend solutions.
Help Them to Get Organised
Organisation is key to achieving what you want. To get organised, your child will need space, the right resources (e.g. folders) and a plan of action such as a revision timetable. This will outline how much time they need to spend doing their work in order to cover all content and be confident in it before their exams start.
Setting up a study area is a good idea, it will give them somewhere quiet to focus away from distractions and means they won’t have to keep tidying away all their books when they have finished for the day.
Remove the pressure
It’s easy for students to get worked up and start to believe that the exams they are about to sit are the be-all and end-all. While they are important and should be taken seriously there are always other options or resits to fall back on. Their health and happiness are more important than any grades so tell your children that as long as they try their best you will be proud of them.
