{"id":11311,"date":"2022-05-17T10:14:58","date_gmt":"2022-05-17T10:14:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mytutor.co.uk\/blog\/?p=11311"},"modified":"2022-05-17T10:15:58","modified_gmt":"2022-05-17T10:15:58","slug":"when-exams-dont-go-well-5-ways-to-support-your-teen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mytutor.co.uk\/blog\/parents\/when-exams-dont-go-well-5-ways-to-support-your-teen\/","title":{"rendered":"When exams don\u2019t go well: 5 ways to support your teen"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

They\u2019ve been revising for ages, going to bed early\u2013doing all the right things to prepare. But\u2026the exam didn\u2019t go well. In fact, your teen called it a \u2018disaster\u2019. Of course as a parent, you want to support them through this tough time. But what\u2019s the best way?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, here we\u2019ll go through 5 tips to help you get them back on track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Listen to their worries.<\/a><\/li>
  2. Give them space if they’re not ready to talk about it.<\/a><\/li>
  3. Praise their strengths.<\/a><\/li>
  4. Open up about your own setbacks.<\/a><\/li>
  5. Ask them how you can help. <\/a><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    1. Listen to their worries.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Your first thought might be to jump in and rescue them. You might say, \u2018I\u2019m sure you did well!\u2019 Or, \u2018It\u2019s going to be OK.\u2019 But to your teen who\u2019s just had a really hard time, it can feel like you\u2019re brushing off their worries. And like all people, teens want to feel seen and heard. So if they open up about their post-exam worries, just listen without rushing in with tips or affirmations. Instead, you can tell them, \u2018That sounds really tough. I\u2019m sorry you\u2019re going through this.\u2019 Empathy goes a long way, and a problem shared is a problem halved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Give them space if they\u2019re not ready to talk about it.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Some teens will have the opposite reaction\u2013they won\u2019t say a word about how their exam went. While it\u2019s still fresh, give them breathing room. Let them switch off completely after their exam by doing something that soothes them like watching their favourite show or soaking in the bath. Avoid asking them how they answered their questions. They\u2019ll come around eventually, and when they do, put them in the driver\u2019s seat. Try asking them how you can help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3. Praise their strengths.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    When they\u2019ve had a chance to cool off, let them know what they do well. Teens can feel like they\u2019re not good enough at the best of times. And sitting an exam that doesn\u2019t go well can really knock back their confidence. While they\u2019re down, avoid comparing them to their friends or siblings. Even if you\u2019ve been on their case for months about revising, they\u2019ll still feel crummy after staring at an exam paper for 2 hours, and just need some TLC. So praise their strengths. It doesn\u2019t need to be about school. Whatever they\u2019re good at\u2013drawing or even how they look after the dog\u2013 let them know they\u2019re doing it well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    4. Open up about your own setbacks.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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