How to help your child survive school exams: a column from an expert in preparing for the Unified State Examination and the OGE

Help without overworking

Some parents believe that the more a child studies on the eve of exams, the more successfully he will pass them. But do not forget about the risk of overwork and burnout, which can turn into a nervous breakdown or depression.

Do not overload the graduate with additional lessons and assignments. Better organize a pleasant joint pastime: get out with your child on picnics, in parks and other places.

Being in nature has a positive effect on the physical and psychological health of a person, and it is more important than ever in such a stressful period.

Set achievable goals

The exam is an opportunity for a teenager to prove himself, to show his knowledge. But you should not demand fives from the child, if before he had only "3" or "4".

The result, of course, depends on the efforts made. But if a graduate tries to jump above his head, he can get a nervous breakdown and health problems.

Don't place your own expectations on your child

Sometimes parents demand from their children achievements that they themselves could not achieve, or set the bar too high. For example, my mother works as a teacher and is very sorry that she did not become an economist, because this is a prestigious profession. And she advises her daughter to enter the Faculty of Finance, not wondering if the child wants this.

The teenager begins to worry and be afraid not to justify the hopes of loved ones. And as a result, high expectations lead not to an excellent result, but to additional stress.

Remember that a child is a unique person with his own talents. And they do not necessarily have to lie in the sphere of basic school subjects.

Do not compare with other children

Phrases like “But our neighbors son passed the exam for the top five” or “Maria Ivanovna’s daughter is such a fine fellow, she graduated from school with excellent marks” do not add motivation to the student. And even vice versa: comparison with other children leads to increased levels of stress. The teenager will feel overwhelmed, feel that he may not achieve the same success, and because of this, he will simply give up.

It is better to focus on what the child has already achieved. Draw a parallel with his previous victories, not with how other teenagers are doing.

Take care of a healthy lifestyle

Provide a routine, proper nutrition, time for rest and walks. Future graduates should sleep 8-9 hours, and spend no more than 3.5 hours a day at the computer and lessons. They also need to walk and engage in various types of physical activity.

In addition, a teenager should eat well - eat at least 4-5 times a day and do it slowly and in a calm environment. The use of caffeine and other stimulants of the nervous system should be excluded.

A healthy lifestyle is the best assistant in preparing for exams.

Don't scold or criticize

Even if the child himself feels that he did not give 100%, do not scold him. Highlight the progress that has been made, regardless of the score.

If teenager worried about the unsatisfactory result, try to explain that exams are not the most important thing in life. This is just one of its stages, which is needed to achieve certain goals.

Of course, this does not mean that you do not need to study or try to pass the exam for a high score. But it is not worth turning failure into a tragedy of life.

Support, but do not impose your opinion

Parental support is important for any child. But do not be zealous with parting words and do not arrange total control. Let the teenager decide for himself how best to prepare for exams, when and where it is more convenient to do it. Don't dictate your own rules.

Some parents persistently advise their children: “Go to a lawyer!”, “Become programmer!" - just because it is fashionable, prestigious or profitable. But such perseverance on their part can lead to the fact that the child never fully realizes his talents and becomes disappointed in life.

Many high school students cannot resist the psychological pressure of adults and accept their choice. The result is wasted years, an unloved job, depression, and sometimes broken destinies.

Don't forget about yourself

Caring for children takes a lot of time and effort. Therefore, parents need to think about their own health and well-being. Save balance between housework and relaxation. Find time to indulge in your hobby, meditate, or watch your favorite movie.

School exams are a difficult period for all participants in the process. And the main task of parents is to support their children and do everything possible so that they do not lose motivation for self-development.