Supporting Your Child Through Exam Season: Stress Management Tips

It’s exam time! The hustle is about to begin in the next two months, with school and entrance exams lined up in the pipeline. Whether your child is appearing for their school exams, 10th and 12th boards, or competitive exams like JEE, NEET, or CLAT, exam fear will likely bother them. The pressure will push them into a loop of preparations and revisions to score good ranks or to get an entry to their dream college.

Like a true companion, we are here to help you understand exam fear's main causes and symptoms. This blog discusses some effective strategies students and parents can use to handle exam pressure and achieve success. So, let’s start: 

What is exam fear?

Exam fear is the strange feeling you get before or during school exams, competitive tests, or any result-oriented task. It is a short-term condition that rises and settles down quickly. Most students experience exam fear in the form of nervousness, anxiety, stress, and even panic attacks.

The intensity of the exam fear varies from child to child, depending on their mental strength, family support, and coping strategies.  

What causes exam fear in kids?

Exam fear is usually caused by the constant negative thoughts crowding your child’s mind. Some of the primary reasons for the build-up of these thoughts are as follows: 

1. Fear of Failure:

Exam fear often pushes kids into a loop of negative thoughts. They fear failing in subjects they don’t like or consider hard to understand. They start procrastinating, stop focusing on learning, and eventually underperform. 

2. High expectations:

Sometimes, kids are burdened by the unrealistic goals set by parents, teachers, or kids themselves. This affects their studies as they start thinking more about their failure than success. 

3. Lack of preparation:

Last-minute preparations are one of the main causes of exam fear in kids. As they start late, they are forced to complete the whole syllabus in a limited time. Due to inadequate study time, they leave chapters or just skim through them, leading to poor exam performance. 

4. Lack of Coping Strategies:

Exam fear can be harsh on kids. They often fail to manage the growing pressure and tension in their minds. They hide their feelings from parents, siblings, and friends. Thus making it challenging for them to cope with the stressful situation. 

What are the main symptoms of exam fear?

Exam fear triggers various physical and mental responses in the body. Some of the main signs of exam stress are mentioned in the pointers below. Have a look: 

• Increased heart rate
• Sweating
• Difficulty in concentration
• Nausea
• Restlessness
• Sleep disturbances

5 Amazing exam stress management tips for students

Given below are some easy and effective ways focused on how to deal with exam stress as a student:

1. Create a study plan

A well-designed study plan can be your key to success in exams. It will help you understand your syllabus, prioritise topics, and cover all the subjects with the same dedication. When laying out a study plan, you can adopt the Pomodoro technique, which breaks study time into focused 25-minute sessions with 5-minute breaks. This method will boost your productivity, reduce stress, and help you stay on track. 

2. Start preparing early

Exam schedules are released months before to help students in preparing. However, for most students, preparations do not start before the last few days of the exams. This leads to last-minute cramming, frustration, difficulty remembering, and failure to complete the syllabus. It is best to start and plan your exam preparations well in advance to avoid stress and chaos. 

3. Practice relaxation

Keeping your mind calm can be a big boost for your exam preparations. You can practice mindful exercises like yoga, meditation, deep breathing, or journaling. Also, ensure you get a good 8-hour sleep, especially the night before your exam. It will relax your mind, give you mental clarity, and perform well in exams. Shankhpushpi syrup can help calm the mind and enhance kids’ sleep schedules. 

4. Eat healthy and stay active

A healthy diet is essential to give your child the energy to study, stay active, and do well in exams. Fill their platter with vegetables, nuts, fruits, whole grains, and beverages. You can turn their ordinary glass of milk into a burst of flavour with chocolate milk powder or turmeric powder infused with real herbs. Plus, Shankhpushpi syrup can also be a great addition to their routine for natural memory support and mental wellness. 

Besides diet, play your favorite sport, run, swim, or walk to calm your senses. It will clear your mind and help you concentrate better on your studies. 

5. Seek help

Exam pressure can get overwhelming sometimes. You can converse openly with your parents, teachers, or friends to overcome the stress. Share your worries with them and seek help finding solutions for your problems. Talking and expressing your concerns can lighten your burden, calm your mind, and reduce anxiety. 

How can parents help kids?

Kids' exams are not just for students but also a challenge for their parents. Given below are some tips you can use to ensure effective exam stress management in your kids:

1. Listen and Talk

The best thing you can do to help your kids fight exam fear is to be present for them. Reach them at the dining table or breakfast to ask about their preparations. Be gentle and ask them if they need any support. Regularly reassure them that you trust them and will always support them regardless of their grades. 

2. Avoid Comparisons

Parents often unknowingly compare their kids with their siblings, cousins, friends, or classmates. This creates a feeling of inferiority and self-doubt in children, making them less confident. So, avoid comparing your kid with others; make it a habit to praise their achievements and acknowledge their hard work. This will keep them motivated and confident in their skin. 

3. Create a Supportive Environment

Try to cultivate a positive and supportive atmosphere at home. Provide a quiet, distraction-free study space to help your child focus. Assist them in designing a balanced study schedule with productive hours and regular breaks. Also, guide them in prioritising tasks to minimise last-minute stress.

4. Trust Ayurveda

Ayurvedic memory booster syrup has rich herbs like Shankhpushpi and Brahmi to help improve kids' mental well-being. These powerful herbs enhance memory, boost focus and concentration, calm a restless mind, and support overall cognitive health, making them ideal for supporting studies and learning.

Wrapping up

Exams are an essential part of student life. However, exam fear doesn’t have to accompany and trouble your little ones. By adopting the right practices, fostering a peaceful home environment, and using Ayurvedic aids like memory booster syrups with Shankhpushpi and Brahmi, you can fight exam pressure easily. 

The love and support you give your kids during their exams keep them motivated, positive and inspired to do well in their tasks. We hope this exam season will come with less stress and more rewards for your little ones, ensuring their happiness and success.