Mind Set just before an Exam

Before great sporting events, athletes tell of things that motivate and prepare them for the challenging event ahead. Mentally, sportspeople have scenes, routines or images in their head to spur them on- and the same thought process can be useful for a teenager taking an exam!

Queuing up outside an exam hall can be uncomfortable. There’s the hum of tension, as well as teenagers trying to play it cool when they might be truthfully anxious inside. Some students like to use the opportunity for some very last minute cramming, whilst others try to chat with their friends to take their mind off of things!

But is there a ‘right’ thing to think about before an exam? What might be a good thing to think about before an exam?

Your child might want to remind themselves of their previous preparation- whether that was in the classroom, at our revision courses or during revision at home. How well prepared your teen is for a topic tends to dictate their levels of confidence. Therefore, it can be encouraging to think of some of the topics coming up in the exam ahead- and dwell on the aspects they feel most secure in.

With preliminary exams later this month, it’s the perfect chance to put your child’s knowledge to the test. If your teen finds themselves ‘wobbling’ or ‘panicking’ prior to walking into the exam hall, signing up to our revision courses might be the boost of extra confidence and revision that they need, to know that they’ll feel more confident come the summer exams!

Your teen could also remember their ‘best.’ Perhaps there was a paper they did really well in during a practise? Perhaps they’ve previously taken an exam and done well? It can be good for your teen to think of some of their top achievements (it doesn’t even have to be school related!) and enter the exam hall feeling ready to smash yet another great accomplishment.

Talking of which, it’s good for your teen to consider exams as ‘a challenge’ - rather than a threat! If your child is of a competitive nature, they could try and motivate themselves before the exam by thinking how much they want to beat any previous turns at this exam- and succeed!

Perhaps your child might even feel able to conjure up positive images or stories in their minds. As they’re waiting to take their seat, perhaps your teen could visualise the ‘finishing line’ of the exam: they could visualise doing well in the exam, answering the questions, finishing the paper…. opening up an envelope to great results. However far your teen wants to take it, a positive visualisation can really benefit their mind-set and mood before entering the exam.

And finally, encourage your teen to focus on themselves in this snapshot moment of time. It doesn’t matter who they’re sitting next to, what their friends’ predicted grades are, what another person is best at… it’s all about your teen and what they’re capable of. By channelling their focus, your teen can hopefully begin their exam with a positive frame of mind and maximum motivation!

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