With State exams just days away, here are four practical ways to support your teenager and help them feel calm, confident, and prepared in the week ahead.
1. Print and highlight the exam timetable
Print two copies of the SEC exam timetable — one for their study space and one for the fridge. Use colour to highlight key subjects and times. Help your child mentally prepare for the trickier exams by reminding them of all the class time, revision, and mock exams they’ve already done.
2. Daily equipment checklist
Each evening, go through a short checklist for the next day: blue/black pens (bring four ), pencils, ruler, eraser, calculator (with spare batteries ), maths sets, student ID, tissues, and a bottle of water. Pack everything the night before. This three-minute task reduces anxiety on exam mornings.
3. Start the morning right
Set your alarm 30 minutes earlier than usual. Prepare your son or daughter a protein-rich breakfast — eggs, porridge, or yoghurt with fruit — to support focus and energy. A calm household sets the tone. Avoid screen time, but use the commute to the exam centre for light revision or listening to recorded notes.
4. Smart pre-exam routine
Drop your teen 20–30 minutes before the exam. This allows time to settle nerves and review key materials outside the exam centre — study cards, important quotes, or formulae. Avoid being drawn into last-minute “panic chats” outside the exam hall. A quick toilet break before going in can prevent interruptions during the exam. Remind them to take a few deep breaths, stay calm, and focus on one question at a time. Most importantly, advise them to use the full exam time, writing as much clear, relevant material as they can — every mark counts.
Above all, reassure your child that their best effort is enough — and that exams are just one chapter in their story.
