The final countdown: a parent’s guide to preparing for exam season

Very soon, hundreds of young people across Swansea will be anxiously heading into college or school to start their exams. Whether its GCSEs or A Levels, the time for revision is upon us – a time that can be a cause of stress and anxiety to many. But as students begin to map-out revision timetables and prep study notes, parents and families might not be so aware of what they can be doing to prepare for exams season. Here to offer parents some advice on all things exam related is Mark Jones, Principal at Gower College Swansea.

Exams are a rite of passage for every student as they reach the end of their formal education. Whether it’s GCSEs or A Levels, the pressure on young people is substantial and it’s imperative that those around them give them the support they need to thrive from both an academic as well as a wellbeing perspective.

While the most practical piece of advice would be to encourage your children to start revising early and plan ahead, it’s natural that in many cases this advice will fall on deaf ears. If this is the scenario you are faced with, it’s likely you’re in for lots of last minute, late night study sessions.

If this is the case and some revision (or all) has been left to the last minute, it’s important not to chastise such behaviour, but instead tackle the situation head on and put all your attention and energy in to encouraging them to make the most of the limited time left. To do this, help them devise a revision timetable, setting daily goals so they can see what’s achievable and realistic.

While time might be limited, it’s important to remember that no one should revise solidly all day and night. Taking breaks and time out to get outside and enjoy some exercise is vital to keeping focused.

We’re told a lot about the benefits of exercise and for good reason - it’s scientifically proven to reduce stress and anxiety levels, both of which will undoubtedly be high at this time. Just a five minute walk can help re-engage tired brains and redirect focus. It’s worth scheduling regular breaks and outside activities in the revision timetable to ensure you and your children avoid ‘brain drain’.

Just as exercise and regular revision breaks are important, sleep is equally so. Recommend that they stop looking at screens an hour before bed to ensure they are maximizing their downtime and getting the solid rest they need to be able to retain all of the information they are working so hard to absorb.

Your role in the revision process might not be a straightforward one. You may find that your children actively ask for your help and seek reassurance, alternatively they might instead choose to tackle it individually and prefer to be left alone. Either way, it is definitely a good idea to offer your support and show that you want to help them in whatever way you can. Testing knowledge is one of the best ways to retain information, so suggest a daily test to help them demonstrate the information they have learnt from that day’s revision. Not only will this help challenge their recall of certain information but it will also help identify any gaps in their knowledge and point them towards what they need to study further.

Alternatively, you could offer them time to teach you what they’ve learnt during the day or revision session, as this this is a great way of recalling information and giving it subject and context. Having to explain something in detail, and potentially in a variety of ways to get someone else to understand the subject, helps reinforce the subject matter in the teacher’s mind.

It’s easy for panic to set in when revision has been left to the last minute but this can be counterproductive to focusing and retaining information. The temptation to convert a year’s worth of studying in to pages of detailed notes can often seem like the best solution but with time pressures, this might not always be the best use of time. Encourage them to write down key words that will help them visualise the subject matter or draw diagrams that illustrate the information. While writing is one of best ways to hold information, it’s important it doesn't turn into a full-on transcription exercise.

Finally, it’s true what they say; practice really does make perfect so ensure you have a good supply of practice papers and test exams to use at the end of each day, preferably timed accordingly so they know what to expect and get used to working under time restrictions.

Don’t put too much pressure on them or yourself during this period. It is nerve wracking and there will be times of stress and anxiety but its worth remembering that constant reminders or voicing your concerns could in fact perpetuate their own anxiety. Spend time creating a relaxed and comfortable environment with minimal distractions so you know you are providing the best setting possible for them to work hard.

Whether revision was started in January or just last week, everyone at Gower College Swansea will be keeping their fingers crossed for you and your families and hoping you get the results you have all worked so hard for.