Summer Exam Pressure?
We can help you and your children to sail through them!
It’s that time of year when teenagers around the world are complaining about exam pressure. Perhaps you are feeling anxious too? These days such a lot rides on getting the best GCSE exam results, particularly in Maths and English, which are seen as essential subjects by every College, University or employer.
Parents, when you look back to when you sat your own exams at GCSE or O level, do you recall sailing through them, full of confidence and focus? Didn’t think so! Sometimes our own lack of confidence in a subject can seep through to our own child’s mind set; then they start their GCSE studies with a negative perception about a particular subject because we constantly tell them we “hated” Maths, Science or English. Ever heard of the saying “A still tongue keeps a wise head?” Now’s the time for parents to keep schtum about our own dislikes – even better if we can cultivate a healthy interest in exploring the subject anew and then we can share “Did you know….” factoids!
Often disappointing exam grades are not about lack of knowledge or ability, they are simply a reflection of inexperience in revision planning. A common mishap is leaving it too late so you’re simply “cramming” or not able to focus enough on every topic. At other times lower than expected grades can reflect lack of knowledge of exam techniques, such as not knowing quite where to start or how to structure your exam time, which in turn leads to vital time being wasted when you first turn over that exam paper (remember that “bunny in headlights” feeling?!).
So if you ever failed an important exam, or didn’t do as well as expected, the good news is that you’re living proof that it’s by no means an insurmountable catastrophe in life (and “perspective” is a very important contribution when supporting someone who is feeling pressured!). You’ll be well equipped to empathise, because you’ll know we all want to make our parents proud of us (even if we will never admit it!).
Apart from offering a sensitive listening ear, what else can you do to help your child get through exam time without them feeling too much under pressure? The very best solution is to give them the best start to their GCSE studies, with Private Tuition in Suffolk.
How the Community Schools can help
We run weekly after school and Saturday classes in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket and Thetford. Our tutoring style, in friendly and informal small groups, allows ample time for each student to learn at their own pace and in their preferred style, with plenty of interaction with the tutor to clarify specific learning points.
We also run Easter Revision Grade Booster sessions. Visit our events page for details of upcoming events.
And if you would like to talk to us about how we can help with exam revision, or with study skills throughout the year at our weekly small group tuition sessions at centres across Suffolk please contact us. Click here to message us now.
Last Updated on November 5, 2020