Supporting them during the difficult times

Getting the right grades to get to university or college can be a real challenge. Exams and uncertainty about the future can place a lot of pressure on your son or daughter and it is important to be sensitive to this.

The signs of stress

  • Sleeping or eating more or less than usual
  • Loss of concentration and interest
  • Tears, tantrums and panic attacks
  • Excessive drinking or smoking
  • Lack of confidence
  • Calls for help such as "hanging round" seeming to want to talk

If your son or daughter is showing signs of stress, you will obviously want to do all you can to reduce that stress. Offer practical support, such as making sure they eat well and get enough sleep and exercise. This may be difficult to enforce, but will make a difference.

Emotional support is important too. Expect that during exam time your son or daughter may be snappy or short with you. The best thing by far is simply to listen, and allow and encourage them to express their worries and fears. Offer them the space to talk, cry or simply to be.

Once your son or daughter starts university or college there will be other pressures, but with your support, they will feel reassured.