You know it’s anxiety when your kid is more irritable than normal, has trouble sleeping, finds it hard to focus, or feels lethargic. But you can help him manage his exam performance fears so that he stays calm on the big day.
Make sure he has a healthy lifestyle
Good lifestyle habits go a long way towards helping kids manage anxiety.
“Regular cardiovascular exercise – 20 minutes, three times a week – helps the mind function better and reduces stress and anxiety,” says psychiatrist Dr Lim Boon Leng of Dr BL Lim Centre for Psychological Wellness.
“It also boosts confidence and, because it’s time away from studying, is a good way to relax.”
Adequate sleep and time for hobbies are also useful strategies to overcome exam pressure. When your kid gets back to revising, he’ll be able to concentrate better and retain more information.
But, don’t wait until the last minute to make sure your child is getting enough sleep or exercise or taking regular breaks from studying.
“It’s difficult to address a child’s anxiety right before the exams, so these positive lifestyle habits should already be in place,” Dr Lim adds.
Help him structure his time before the exams
To reduce your child’s panic about not having enough time for revision, teach him how to structure his time from as early in the year as possible, says clinical psychologist Carol Balhetchet.
“This will help him see that he does, in fact, have a lot of time to revise for his exams, and in turn, this will build his confidence and keep his anxiety at bay.
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