We’ve all been there and know this; studying for final exams is no enjoyable occasion. The chances are that, as a parent, you will have a child that goes through the exact same process. The feeling of angst, panic and any other nervy emotion is only natural and they’re bound to be a bit ‘snappy’ during this period. Thankfully as a parent there are a number of things you can do to ensure that this period of study is as comfortable and productive as possible.
The first piece of advice is: don’t hassle! They will likely have enough on their plate with study planning, getting hold of all the right textbooks, getting their references right, organising extra tutorials and of course, actually studying! By all means, pop your head in the room occasionally and ask how they’re getting on and if they need anything, but don’t be pestering every five minutes and cracking the whip when they don’t look to have their head buried in a book.
It’s also a good idea to ensure that the environment is right for study. The latest instalment of “Homeland” may be on at 8pm, but if the living room happens to be a revision space then you may have to record it. You can watch your TV at any time, so make allowances for these important revision hours. Sergeant Brody isn’t going anywhere! While the idea of studying is to not be distracted, it’s important to encourage regular breaks to give the mind a rest.
Many students believe that the night before an exam, they need to cram everything into their brains and not stop revising until they can recite their textbook word for word. This actually does more harm than good, and they should be encouraged to take a break at least once an hour. Even if they are only taking ten minutes to design their graduation hoodie, it’s good for them to switch their focus on to something else. If the weather is nice, try and get them to have a quick walk outside, fresh air always helps encourage productivity in these cases.
Finally, ensure the fridge is fully stocked with the right stuff to help them through this tough, testing period. There’s a common misunderstanding that the best thing is to stock up on energy drinks full of sugar and caffeine. This isn’t correct by any means. Whilst these products do give students an initial boost, the crash when the caffeine wears off will have much more of an effect.
A normal, healthy diet is the best way to help your studying children engage their brain. Make sure you have plenty of fruit in the house, as this will help with focus and can contribute towards students having the right frame of mind. Unlike energy drinks, a healthy diet will ensure that your children don’t suffer from unnatural highs and crushing lows and should reap the rewards of study over time.
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