Study leave has officially begun at our house, so I thought it was time to help my teen set up some good study habits as he prepares for his NCEA Level 1 exams.

We all learn differently. Some people prefer silence and order, while others can listen to thrash metal while learning algebra. 

These top 4 tips for helping our teens during exam season are not necessarily new, but I think they are important habits to help set them up for success.

Exercise

Sitting for long periods of time is not good for our bodies or our brains. Encourage your teen to schedule movement breaks during studying. 

Exercise releases ‘feel good’ chemicals into our brain which make us feel energised and happy. Running isn’t my favourite form of exercise, but I do it because I love the ‘runner’s high’ that I get at the end.  Exercise not only reduces stress and anxiety but also helps you to sleep better. 

After exercising your teen will feel alert and positive, which will help them feel motivated about studying.

How to study

There are many different ways to study. Your teen may want to try a variety of ways to see what works best.

• Work through past exam papers – it is helpful if the answers are included
• YouTube is great for tutorials on just about any subject
• For visual learners try a whiteboard or sketching
• Use word association to connect ideas
• Try using acronyms. Do you remember ROY G BIV for the spectrum of colours? 
• Teach someone what you have learnt 

A study from the University of Waterloo in Canada has shown that reading aloud boosts your memory. Reading and hearing yourself speak, helps the brain to store the information so that it becomes a long-term memory. 

Teenagers Need Sleep

Staying up late the night before an exam is a bad idea. Memory, creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking skills are all compromised when we don’t get enough sleep. 

Eat Well And Stay Hydrated

Sugar and caffeine are great for a quick energy boost, but with that, comes the crash several hours later. It’s a better idea for your teen to stay hydrated with water. 

The body, and brain, function better when we are well hydrated. Your teen may feel more alert, and it gives them a little brain break each time they reach for the bottle.

It’s a good idea to limit (not ban, we are talking about teenagers after all) processed snacks as they only offer a temporary energy boost. Eating whole foods and protein will help with concentration and energy as they will fuel your teen for longer.  

Teenagers can feel pressured and stressed about sitting exams. Let’s support them by giving them a healthy perspective about exams. At the end of the day, an exam is a test of knowledge, it doesn’t define who our teens are or who they will become in the future.