LOOKING AFTER YOURSELF AND YOUR CHILDREN DURING EXAMS


GCSEs and A-Levels are a difficult and stressful time for our kids, that much we already know. They get irritable, anxious and feel the constant weight of their revision and impending assessments looming over them. In those trying times for our kids, we may easily overlook the very real dangers that exist for parents during the exam period.


Yes, kids feel the pressure, parents will share the feelings of anxiety, too. You naturally worry for your kids, and their GCSE and A-Level exam times are no different. You need to take care of yourself during those trying times, if not just for your own health, then so you can continue to be solid support for your kids.


How can parents look after themselves during exams
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1. First, learn about the exams

Much of your worries about the kids’ exams likely stems from you not knowing so much about them. Take some time to read up on the exams your kids are taking, such as how many papers there are, the contents and demands of each, as well as time limits and other requirements. The more you know, the less you will have to leave to the imagination. Anxiety about anything can be alleviated with a bit of knowledge about that thing.

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Offer materials - Multiple choice questions
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As a parent with teenage kids, exam time can be a stressful period. You and your kids both know that the GCSEs and 

A-Levels have far-reaching consequences that go well beyond the end of the summer term or exam period itself.

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Offer knowledge checklists
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Another free tool available at Primrose Kitten is our collection of knowledge checklists. When your child is struggling to move on to new subject revision because they’re petrified that they’ve missed something crucial

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Get some past papers 
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This is yet another fantastic contribution you can directly make to the learning process. Past GCSE and A-Level papers are available all over the Internet for free download. You may also ask your child’s school to provide some for you.  Read more...
Look after their physical and mental health
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The mountain of revision that GCSE and A-Level students face is more than daunting. It can be absolutely crushing to their physical and mental health and lead them to a series of poor decisions and risky behaviours. Read more...
Cook
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In Tip 4, we mentioned energy drinks, but junk food and other unhealthy, fatty and salty snacks are something revising students should avoid. You can help keep your child healthy in mind and body with good home-cooked food and healthy snacks

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Show empathy and understanding 
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Parents who have taken GCSEs, A-Levels or old O-Levels in the past can sometimes get snippy in the face of their child’s exam stress. Remember that comments like “students today, you don’t know you’re born!”

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Create a great study space
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Make another contribution to the study process by helping to create a quiet, organized, clean and comfortable study space for your child to use. If you have a spare or otherwise empty room, kit that out as a dedicated study area for them. Read more...
Be an "audience" for them
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One thing your child might benefit from is being able to say aloud some of their revision work as a way of reinforcing and practising. It’s not just for music or drama students. This method can work for other subjects, too. Read more...