Preparing for Exams- Mental Preperation

Dominique Parenting Views, Recommendations exam preperation, Mental Health

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This is the last installment of the three part mini-series on Preparing for Exams. In this 3rd article I will be focusing on the importance of mental preparation

Sitting for an exam can be on of the most stressful scenario for your child.
Here are some tips on how you can reduce test anxiety.

Be mentally prepared
If you have been doing regular revision for your subject you should be confident of the course material that you have covered.
Have a good night’s rest and set your alarm.
Having enough rest will give you the vitality you need to keep yourself alert during the exam. By giving yourself ample time to get to the examination center early it would prevent you to get stressed up by the possibility that you will be late for the exam.
Have an exam plan
I always tell my students not to dwindle on a question that they are unsure of but to move on and complete the questions which they are able to answer. They can always go back to the more difficult questions which they have left out earlier when they have finished all the “simpler” questions on the test paper. It is more important to attempt the majority of the question then to leave them blank as you are stuck at one of the question.
Practice deep breathing when you start to feel like you are panicking.
Breathe in and out a few times. This will help to calm your frayed nerves and settle you down before the start of the exam. It will also help you to focus and gather your thoughts before putting your brain on overhaul.

Preparing for Exams- Brain Nutrition

Dominique Parenting Views exam preperation, Green tea, Healthy diet, nutrition, Physical exercise

This is the 2nd out of 3 article in the series on preparing for exams In the next installment I will be focusing on being mentally prepared for an exam

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“Food for the Brain”. I am sure that you have heard this sentence before. Many parents are busy during the examination period boiling various tonics and “brain boosting” food for their precious kids in bid to get better grades.

Here are some tips on how to keep your child’s brain in top shape during the examination seasion.

Drink more fluids(Water).
You need to make sure that your child’s body is properly hydrated to prevent him from being dehydrated . It is not recommended to drink caffeinated or carbonated drinks as they many not provide the necessary levels of fluid intake that your child needs . These drinks also are not that healthy. Green tea is good for the brain as it contains chemicals that can stimulate mental relaxation and alertness.
Eat a well balanced dietOne needs to get sufficient servings from the various groups as seen in the Healthy Diet Pyramid on the right.
Get regular physical exercise
Exercising helps to increase the blood flow to your brain. It also helps to rejuvenate your mind and spirit. Through exercise it will help loosen up stiffen muscles and help your child to relax. It also helps to boost your child’s immunity and make them less prone to illnesses.

There hasn’t really been any scientific proof about taking essence of chicken or other tonics before an exam would really increase ones concentration powers and ability to score better grades.

I personally feel that it is important to take sufficient water and a balance diet during the examination period to be in the best of health.

What brain boosters do you give your kids?