How to deal with stress before exams
My daughter is in Grade 6, and as the June examinations approach, she is stressed. She doesn’t sleep properly and her mood is low. This has been happening from Grade 4 since she first started writing exams. I try my best to encourage her, but it is stressful for me to watch her go through this. Do you have any advice for me?
Stress before exams, as you described above, is experienced by many learners of different ages. It is important to address this and provide assistance for them as it has implications for the quality of life they lead. Examinations are important, but they should not cause distress in their lives. Some learners experience constant levels of stress due to academic activities, and given that a great deal of the time in the year is spent on learning, it is important for them to live relaxed lives.
Firstly, it is important to identify the reason/s for the distress experienced. Is your daughter experiencing difficulties in learning in general or in particular subjects? Does she have problems concentrating for appropriate time frames? Does she manage her time adequately? Does she study with a timetable in advance or too close to her exams? Does she procrastinate? Does she put pressure on herself to do well? Do other people put pressure on her to achieve good marks?
Not to forget, does your daughter eat properly to give her sustained energy? Many learners skip breakfast and don’t eat lunch at school and this compromises their performance. These are some of the questions you need to address in a relaxed conversation with your daughter. From this, you can try and provide the necessary support for her.
For example, she may have poor time management skills and you can help set up a study timetable and supervise the use of it. Continue to encourage her and get her to exercise daily for about 20 minutes, as this helps release cortisol, the stress hormone, and picks up one’s mood. You can try various short activities for relaxation like some meditation etc. Should your attempts not bear positive changes, I suggest you consult with a psychologist who can complete an assessment of her learning skills and emotional / social life. This will yield important insights that will inform interventions to help her achieve academically without stress.