7. Be on call
Have your child contact you once the paper is over –  though it may be unsaid, sometimes all he or she wants after sitting for a stressful exam is to hear comforting and reassuring words from a loved one. Knowing when the exam is over may also help YOU breathe more easily! You may also want to stay contactable just in case anything happens during the course of the exam. Though we would rather not get such news, students do fall ill or get panic attacks in the exam hall.

8. Compare them NOT
As students leave the exam venue, its not uncommon for them to discuss among one another about how they think they fared, and to get quizzed by their parents once they are past the gates (Guilty??). Do show your concern by asking your child about the experience, but stop short of extensive grilling or comparing your child’s feedback vs those of other students. You and your child’s time would be better spent by moving on and concentrating on the next exam. 

9. Keep in mind the BIG picture
Exams are not the be-all and end-all, and even if you find it hard to think otherwise, try not to let your worries and fears overwhelm your child. While some children will take a positive view of a major exam and use its significance to spur them on, others may feel more stressed out by just ‘how important’ this examination is, which may worsen exam jitters.

10. Hear what they’re really SAYING
Above all, be sensitive to what your child says and does. Young people often speak thoughtlessly, and it may not be a true reflection of their feelings. For example, your child may be rather worried about the exams but does not want to give this impression to his or her friends, in order to not appear ‘uncool’.  When talking about the exams, give your child time to compose his or her thoughts. Take some time to listen and reflect upon what your child says, while noting other aspects of your child’s behaviour and body language.

Do you have other tips to share? We would love to hear from you.

Comments (3)

...
written by Ng Lay Yen, May 07, 2010

Thank you for this timely article ! I feel so much better after reading it. And I fully agree that our children need our support and TLC, especially in the midst of this exam craziness

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Sarin, May 07, 2010

You're welcome, Lay Yen! Yes, exam 'craziness' is one way to put it. Point is, if everyone goes 'crazy', does that make it 'normal? Unfortunately, in our local education system, parents are often caught in a 'catch-22' situation - some get more stressed out than their children but you can't NOT worry either!
However, each exam is but one of a series of challenges that our children will have to face, and having the right atittude from the very beginning may help to smoothen the journey.
Take care and all the best!

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Lisa, May 07, 2010

If you don't worry, they think you cannot be bothered, and they will not study. You worry too much, they fall sick and then you get even more worried. What a cycle! And there is no point in schools replacing CAs with mastery tests or any other name. A test by any other name is still a test

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Name

Email

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment