Exam Tips for Parents and Teenagers
- Apr 5
- 3 min read
Updated: May 5
This section features articles written by invited guest authors.
Blog written by Penny Goodwin, Author of Hold Your Teen Close.
Exam time will soon be upon us, and it's never too early to be prepared! If you have teenagers at home, here are a few tips to help them stay focused, confident, and calm during exams:
Normalise things. Don't turn their month upside down to focus on exams only. Keep a balance.
Fresh air and exercise will help lower stress levels. Encourage them to go outside for a short time each day. Even if this means dropping or picking them up at school further away than normal so they get a 10-minute walk.
Sleep is essential, even if it means an hour less revision.
A healthy diet will aid a healthy brain. Now is not the time to put them on a fat-free, sugar-free diet-occasional treats may put a smile on their face, and as they study, their brains are working hard and burning lots of energy, so they'll need the calories.
Don't bribe them by offering money or rewards for the highest marks. Now is the time to teach by example. If you choose to offer a reward, make it for turning up and passing, whatever the grade. The main thing is that they try their best.
Don't pile on the pressure. They have enough stress from others.
Don't hover or nag. Just be around in the background if they need any help.
Know and trust your child. When you can see that they are giving their best, leave it at that. We are not all supposed to be Einsteins. Talents and gifts come in all shapes and sizes, and aren't necessarily academic ones.
Focus on the exam not the result. This frees up both time and energy, and reduces stress.
Stay calm yourself, as your teen will pick up on your stress.
Be organised. If you're taking them to the exams, make sure you're ready and prepared well ahead of time. They don't need the additional stress, and neither do you.
Keep the cupboard stocked, as hungry teens can become irritable ones.
Be available if they need to talk, but listen silently.
Everyone reacts differently to stress, so give your teen a chance to share their thoughts without judgment.
Be prepared the night before with any stationery or equipment needed for the exams, do not leave it to the morning. This includes making sure there's enough petrol or bus fare.
Encourage breakfast. Anything is better than nothing.
Make it fun. Homemade lucky dips-shredded paper filled with hidden treats-can be enjoyable. Wrap up small gifts to open on the day of each exam, or create a special playlist to listen to in the car. The list is endless.
Be flexible. Exams are not the norm, so adapt during this period. If it means takeaways on a Tuesday instead of/as well as a Friday, so be it. Or a movie night where parents leave work a little earlier.
Remember, it's not the end of the world if your teen doesn't get the grades you want or that they want. It won't harm them. Many very successful people flunked out or left school early.
Their mental health is paramount, so don't compromise it.
Good luck to your teens!
These are just some of the insights covered in my book, Hold Your Teen Close, where I go into more depth and include additional tools and explanations.