Exam results day survival guide for mums and dads

No matter how well you think your child’s secondary exams went, it is natural to feel like a cat on hot bricks as the day approaches. Here are a few tips on how to deal with emotions when they run high…

Ah, the blissful summer break, although a short-lived one, most of it is smooth sailing with the usual sixth-form exam results day thrown in right in the middle. If your child is in Secondary School then the existence of this day latches on to your consciousness from the last day of Term 3- you know it is coming, and it will be here sooner than expected. No matter how well you think your child’s exams went, it is natural to feel like a cat on hot bricks as the day approaches.

Regent International is a primary school and we believe in starting young – helping our parents and young learners cope with stressful situations. Here are a few tips on how you can help your older child deal with emotions associated with exam results, or any other nerve-wracking situation they might find themselves in time after time!

Plan something impromptu
The night before results day, plan a bunch of exciting things to do with your child. This could distract and channelize energies into something more constructive and enjoyable rather than brooding over the outcome of the results. Spend the day at an amusement park, plan a family dinner at your child’s favourite restaurant or a games night and invite your child’s friends home – basically anything that will stop your child and you from worrying about the results.
How this could help: The ability to appreciate life might sound weak in the hard world of academic results, but love and security feed a host of qualities that young learners need. These include the ability to be open and receptive and to feel connected.

Keep communication lines open
Nothing good comes from bottling up tense feelings. Speak to your child and have him/her open up about their worries and give them the strength to deal with the situation.
How this could help: For years, resilience building has helped children think more flexibly and realistically, be more creative and ward off depression and anxiety. They understand that learning has plenty of setbacks and that they can overcome them. They don’t take failure too seriously, they look at a wider, more positive picture.

Rest up, meditate
“Mindfulness” meditation is one of the more popular practices taught at Regent. Sit down with your child to meditate. Focus attention on a particular target (for example your own breathing, a sound, a sensation); notice when the attention has wondered away from the target and bring the attention back to the target.
How this could help: Children who meditate more often are optimistic, have positive emotions, stronger self-identity, greater self-acceptance and experience reduced anxiety, stress and depression.

We hope these tips help you calm your child and your worked-up nerves! At Regent, we understand that our young learners need our support to help them develop a stronger, more flexible outlook in life, and all the qualities that make up a resilient inner core. We actively foster and encourage our parents to work with us so we can help our students become successful in school and life. Just as muscles grow stronger with regular exercise, so are character traits strengthened by mindful encouragement.

All the best!