Our Registered Child Psychologist Katy McEvoy has some handy tips to share on what can help your child in the final push to the end of the year exams.

Review notes, not the textbook: the textbook is too big and dense to be the most efficient source of information at this stage. It is better to review your own notes, PowerPoint slides, or teacher summary materials.  

Use strategies to support your memory: There are some well-researched strategies to support memory, such as reading out loud, singing the information, or writing down key sentences in different colours or fonts. In the last weeks or days before an exam, you should also be doing more “active study” like taking quizzes, or testing yourself using flash cards, rather than just rewriting notes.  

Make a schedule: schedule time to study for your different subjects. Make sure in each day that alongside your study sessions, you schedule time for breaks, time to socialise, time to exercise, and time for fun! 

Choose your best study spot but don’t be afraid change it up: Study where you study best. The space should be low on distractions, but also create a motivating atmosphere. Your study spot could be at your desk, at the library, or in the backyard or park. You might find that studying with a friend keeps you on track, or you might need complete solitude to stay on task. Some people also find they can focus better if they change their study spot from time to time. 

Avoid social media: Social media is the great distractor. Stay off your socials as much as possible so you don’t fall in the trap of using it to procrastinate instead of studying. It can also fuel anxiety if comparing yourself to everyone else on there and what they are doing.  

Sleep well: Practice good sleep hygiene and ensure you’re sleeping at least 8 hours a night. But don’t overdo it and sleep the day away. Get up at the same time every day even if you don’t have to go to school. All-nighters are not your friend! 

Eat well: Resist the urge to load up on junk food or lots of caffeine and sugar during the exam period. Eat balanced meals regularly and don’t skip meals to ensure your energy levels are consistent across the day. If you like to crunch on something while you study, consider more nutritious options, like carrot or rice cakes, or even try chewing gum instead. Or simply have a water bottle on hand and sip regularly. 

Use relaxation techniques: A relaxed mind is better at retaining and recalling information. Practice deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation or short mindfulness meditations. You can use these techniques during your study, to help getting to sleep, and even during the exams themselves if you feel yourself getting anxious. Apps like “Calm” and “Headspace” have some great guided meditations, and you can learn how to do progressive muscle relaxation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihO02wUzgkc.