There is no doubt about it; the HSC® Exam is stressful. In fact many people that I’ve spoken to recall the HSC® Exam to be MOST stressful times in their lives. Now this may be that I’ve been talking to now doctors who were extremely hard-working students, but with so much pressure to do well, how could you not be at least a little stressed?
Most children feel an overwhelming level of pressure throughout the HSC® Exam: pressure from their teachers, their friends and potentially even from you, the parents. Although parents hate to think that they are the cause of any stress for their child, a lot of the pressure associated with the HSC® Exam often comes from them-whether or not they realise it! Some children feel that their parents expect big things from them, some feel like they have to live up to their older siblings’ achievements and some may just simply not want to disappoint their family.
How you support your child through the HSC® Exam will almost certainly have an impact on their outcome. In order to support them as best as you can, you have to first understand their intentions, problems and goals. It’s important to make sure you have equal expectations. If your child is striving towards an ATAR in the 90’s or a career in medicine, engineering or law in the best universities in the country, you have to be prepared to provide a little push every now and then. This is not to say you should lock them in their rooms and force them to study – this will achieve nothing. But if you are both in it together and you understand what they expect of themselves, then you can guide them back onto the right path when you see them straying or losing focus.
In times of high stress, parents should always be on the lookout for signs of depression or anxiety. Mental health is a major problem in the age group of students going through the HSC® Exam (17-18). You would hope that your child will tell you if something is wrong, but more often than not, it’s not that simple. Throughout the HSC® Exam keep a close eye out for signs such as:
- Mood change (constantly down)
- Personality changes – you may notice your child is suddenly retreating to their room regularly or becoming disinterested in life
- Fatigue – This can simply occur because your child is exhausted from constant studies but be aware of signs that they are working too hard. If your child is starting to miss out on school or things that are important to them because they are too tired, it might be time to scale the studying down a little.
- Weight change –Although this can be a natural outcome to a more sedentary lifestyle (studying at a desk 24/7), be on the lookout for any drastic changes and if necessary, consider taking your child to see a doctor or dietician to get their weight under control
If you notice any of these changes, let your child know you are there to support them and listen to their concerns. However we all know that teenage years can be tricky when it comes to parent/teenager relations so if they are not willing to open up to you, make them aware of the option to seek help from a professional.
Another hot tip and one of the best things you can do as a parent is giving them the option to have some time off. Maybe set aside an afternoon on a weekend every week to do something that they enjoy and which will take their mind off the burden of HSC® Exam. You could take them to the beach, out for a walk or to dinner somewhere nice– anything, as long as you let them know that this is a HSC® Exam free zone. Some children won’t opt for this, and absolutely do not pressure them into taking time off if they do not want it. If they are happy studying, please leave them be, but giving them the option is a great way to connect with your children and offer them support.
And most importantly, remember to give yourself a pat on the shoulder too: your child is not the only one working hard and going through a stressful time, you are taking on a lot as their parent, support system and emotional outlet! So do your best and be kind to yourself!
