How to Help a Teen Overcome Stress Related to School Exams
Whether your teen is a top student, in the middle of the pack or struggling to get by, he can be affected by stress associated with taking exams in school. In fact, this stress and anxiety could actually be affecting his grades, keeping him from realizing his true potential in the classroom. Proper preparation, and stress-reducing mental and physical techniques, will go a long way toward helping him overcome his tension, making it easier for his abilities and knowledge to shine through.
Instructions
Instructions
Teach your teen how to spread her studies throughout the learning period instead of cramming at the last minute. Being well-prepared for an exam allows your teen to feel more relaxed and self-assured on the day of the test. Also, by staying on top of her lessons, she can become better acquainted with the material and ask her teacher questions about topics she doesn̵7;t grasp. She might benefit as well from a study group a week or so before an exam, allowing her to discuss the material in a non-academic setting. Talk to your teen about the importance of taking care of himself, such as getting enough sleep the night before the exam. Studies have shown that lack of restful sleep drastically affects alertness, memory and cognitive ability. For instance, according to Dr. Michael J. Breus, an expert in sleep medicine, having as little as one and a half hours less sleep than normal the night before his exam could decrease your teen̵7;s level of alertness by 32 percent. In addition, he should eat a healthy breakfast, drink water instead of sodas, and try to get some exercise or fresh air the day of the exam. Discuss deep breathing relaxation techniques with your teen before exam time is near. During exams, teens often hold their breath while concentrating, increasing the levels of carbon dioxide in their blood and lungs. But through proper inhaling and exhaling, more oxygen gets to the brain to aid in its work. By practicing these methods regularly, your teen can master them and train her body to view these routines as a signal to calm down and relax whether taking an exam or not. Talk to your teen about the importance of positive thinking and keeping the exam in proper perspective. By helping him look at the bigger picture, your teen can see one exam for how it fits into his overall grade, which might also include homework, projects and classroom participation, and realize he has plenty of other ways to make a difference in his final marks. Show your teen how to reduce stress during the exam as well. For instance, have her read over the questions before she begins so she can see that there is nothing on the exam she isn̵7;t prepared for. Also, encourage her to re-focus as necessary if she starts to panic, and to keep her shoulders and arms relaxed while she sits with her feet flat on the floor.