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It’s been a bumper year for assessment changes, stress and new things to adapt to, so we’re taking a look at what we can do to support students through the summer exam period.
- Acknowledge the Struggle
It’s been a mad year, and the class of 2021 all over the globe are coping with a very disrupted learning journey – from just working out how to socialise and laying the foundations for reading and writing to the students getting ready to sit finals and jet off to college and university, nobody has had the experience that they expected. And that’s before getting to grips with new technology, remote learning and the myriad of assessment changes that have been taking place all over the globe! Making sure that students know that as an educator, parent or carer acknowledge that there have been some roadblocks on their way is important – nobody is expecting anything more than the best they can do.
It’s also a good idea to talk to students about things like mental health and stress in the lead-up to exams too – the NHS portal has some solid tips for parents and carers, as does the Family Lives website.
2. Exam Hall Prep
Exams can be daunting at the best of times, and even the best of us can feel the panic start to seep in when we’re faced with a booklet of questions and a blank sheet of paper that we’ve spent two years building up to. Something to remember is that there are little things that can make all the difference – sometimes making sure that you’ve got a bottle of water, spare pens and comfortable clothes on is actually an important part of a panic-busting ritual.
Students with dyslexia and literacy differences can also benefit from the addition of reading aids to their exam experience. Although sometimes an in-person reader can help a lot, they have to be requested early on, and can sometimes make students feel singled out. Many feel more independent using a text-to-speech device like a scanning pen, and they’re much easier to implement too – Scanning Pens’ ExamReader has even been approved by the JCQ for use in exams in the UK, which means that there’s no prior special access arrangements required (although this differs in other countries around the world).
3. Chat to Educators
If you’re the parent or guardian of a young person taking exams this summer, sometimes touching base with their educators is a good way to get a better grasp on what they’re going through and how you can help.
We’re under no illusions here, either – educators have had three terms of weirdness and are juggling a myriad of new methods and responsibilities that they’ve had approximately no time to get used to, and still managed to hit the ground running. They’ve done an amazing job, and we’re grateful for everything and anything that they do – keeping education going throughout the Covid-19 pandemic has taken a huge amount of effort, creativity and innovation, and it’s pretty understandable if they might not get to their emails on time every day. However many schools will have suggested methods, resource packs, or even just lists of helpful websites that can provide you with the information you need in a handy email- it’s always a good idea to ask an expert if you’re not sure how to best help out.
4. Revising in Style
Once you get past primary school, all exam prep is largely revision-based, and after a year of learning remotely it’s not unusual for students to feel a little taken aback at the idea of individual revision when it might feel a little like that’s what they’ve been doing for three terms now. It’s a good idea to open up a dialogue with students about how they feel like they revise best – do they need to create a dedicated study space, or to have hours put aside each night in which they’re not to be interrupted? How do they feel like the information goes in best – reading, writing, videos or diagrams - or even revising interpersonally with flashcards and conversations that you can help out with at home?
We’d like to wish the class of 2021 all the best in their examinations, whether they’re walking into a classroom, an exam hall, or finishing up a hefty pile of coursework. You’ve got this!
If you're a student or young person that's worried about exam stress, you can find some helpful information at YoungMinds. It's also a good idea to talk to an understanding parent or carer, teacher or tutor to let them know what you're going through - there's lots of help available, and it's important to reach out.
