How to Beat Exam AnXiETY

Eating well doesn’t mean, no carbs or sugars, we all need a balanced diet and even more so when we need our brain to think about lots of solutions- exams. Before an exam eat cereal a chocolate bar or a few sweets- nothing heavy and remember to eat well after an exam – high sugars and fatty foods tend to feed low mood. Fire up your brain before their exam and fire up again after their exam. 

Cramming revision the night before and not allowing your brain to organise itself by having rest and recouperation won’t help exams. Negotiate with your child /student if need be ,so that they can revise for equal amounts of leisure time or computer games. Engage them in conversation before sleep with positive affirmations, so they feel good about themselves while sleeping at least 8-10hours a night for a working brain. 

Remember we all approach exams and or stress in different ways, children/teenagers will approach their exams in their own way, encourage them to break up revision with music or exercise, walking the dog or watching videos. Get them to set their own timetable and talk it through with you. Bedrooms and chores are not on the priority list at exam time. 

Ask your child what they need to help them study, suggest practical ways that may help, let them make the decision. Encourage them to set their own boundaries and talk them through. Talk about the goals that these exams might help them achieve so they have a meaning to what they are doing. 

It’s good to try and encourage a routine of exercise before thinking about exams- jan/feb is a great time to add in a walk together or talk about how a healthy body can feed a healthy mind. Ask what they would like to do to break up their revision time and set a goal at the end of each week as an incentive. Exercise can boost energy levels, clear the mind and relieve stress. 

Encourage your child to talk things through, if not with you with someone they trust. Talk of all possibilities for their next steps in life be positive whatever the outcome.