Exam Preparation Tips: How Students Can Stay Calm and Perform Well

Introduction

Examination stress can be real and affect a child’s performance if not tackled properly. Generally, parents and kids may focus a lot on preparation in the form of learning and practicing the syllabus for the exam. However, it is also very important to focus on the psychological aspect of the exam and the impact that it may have on a child's mind. Other than performance pressure, the expectation to complete everything in a given amount of time during exams may also make a child feel anxious.

As per the Author Manuscript published in 2017, examination anxiety may make a child forget everything that they have learned at the last moment. It may also lead to palpitations and panic attacks in the worst scenario. Hence, to avoid all this, there is a greater need for parents and kids to collectively work on fostering a positive environment specifically during the examination season.

Tips for Kids to Stay Calm During Exams and Perform Well

Here are some effective tips for kids to navigate their emotions during exams to perform well while staying calm.

• Practice Well

One of the best ways of tackling examination anxiety is to have a strong practice. This can help in boosting the inherent confidence of a child and they might not feel anxious at all. To do this, parents may help the child create a fixed timetable and help them with their lessons and learnings. Various methods such as using flashcards, making notes, and using technology to enhance one’s conceptual clarity can be extremely beneficial in such a scenario. By timely preparation, the child may not feel pressured and anxious on the day of the exam examination and have full trust in their capabilities.

• Have a Proper Study Space

As per A Space for Every Student: Assessing the Utility of a Family Friendly Study Room in a University Library published in 2019, having a space of one's own can help a child develop a better relationship with their study routine and enhance satisfaction levels. A quiet study area where a child gets to concentrate wholeheartedly on studies may also improve their retention levels. Additionally, the child may get the liberty to organize their belongings as per their choice and keep them clean and tidy. This may have a relaxing impact on a child's mind, and they might gain better clarity while studying.

• Make Notes

Note-making is the process of making pointers that carry relevant information related to a particular concept that a child is studying. This can help to save a lot of time. After completing a particular lesson, the child can simply go through these notes again and again to revise the important information derived from the lesson. It helps in saving time as the child doesn't have to read the whole lesson again. At the same time, it may also help in enhancing the quality of revision and retention. If a child doesn't want to make notes, then they can simply highlight the important points in a lesson for future reference.

• Take Rest

In between the continuous study sessions, it is also important to take necessary rest so that the mind feels relaxed. As per brain scenes published in 2021, taking active study breaks can help improve a child's attention and reduce the likelihood of burnout. During this time, the child can eat something or play a brief game. However, it is important to ensure that the break shouldn't be stretched more than the allotted time. As soon as the break time is over, the child should instantly get back to studying and complete everything on time. This way the child can stay energized while focusing on their studies and not feeling pressured.

• Give Mock Tests

Mock tests are like practice tests designed in a way to check the preparation of a child. Giving mock tests can help a kid understand their weak areas so that they can work and improve them. After a child is done with their preparation, they can take a mock test at home within a set amount of time that will be given to them on the day of the exam examination. After they have attempted the test, they can get it checked by an elder or even on their own by looking at the answer key. By the end of the process, the child will be able to rationally understand the performance level and work accordingly. It may also reduce the examination stress on the final day as the child would have already practiced answer writing.

• Exercise Regularly

A child's physical and mental health can be interlinked. Exercising regularly is not just important for a child's body but may also have a positive impact on a child's mind and academic performance. As per Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School. a child's academic performance can be severely benefited through regular physical activity. It may enhance their ability to concentrate and keep them in a happy mood. Moreover, exercise can also act as a source of rejuvenation for the child to get their body moving after sitting at the desk for long hours.

Conclusion

A satisfactory academic life is a culmination of a lot of factors. Other than consistent studying, it is also about maintaining a holistic lifestyle where a child engages in doing activities that they enjoy and taking care of their physical fitness. All of these can collectively help in improving a child's school performance and help them tackle examinations, and anxiety well.