Accompany your child to overcome exam pressure

The 2024 high school graduation exam will take place from June 26-28. Today, along with the whole country, Hai Duong students will take the first two exams: math and literature.

As one of more than 23,500 candidates in Hai Duong taking this exam, my nephew is also very worried. He said that wherever he goes, he sees people talking about exams. Just the other day, the whole family was in a panic because of his sister's 10th grade entrance exam score, but in the past few days, his parents have been constantly discussing the high school graduation exam, and the plan for which university their child will enter if they get a high or low score.

The stories and expectations of parents unintentionally put pressure on me.

Pressure from intense studying, grades, exams, career choices, and comparisons from parents with "other people's children" are issues that make final year students feel tired and stressed.

A few years ago, a group of 12th grade students from Binh Giang High School (Hai Duong) made a photo series expressing the pressure of final exams. As soon as it was posted on social networks, the photo series received a lot of attention. The photo series spoke for the thoughts and wishes of many 12th grade students before taking the high school graduation exam. In the photo series, the students expressed the message that they did not want exam pressure to become a psychological "tumor" and hoped that adults would encourage them, look at their own efforts instead of comparing and creating pressure.

The consequences of academic and exam pressure are clear. In January 2024, a 10th grade male student at Ly Thuong Kiet High School, Hoc Mon District (Ho Chi Minh City) jumped from the 3rd floor of the school and later died due to academic pressure. In 2023, the Department of Adolescent Health (National Children's Hospital) studied psychological disorders in students at several high schools in Hanoi before the high school graduation exams and found that 38% of the students showed signs of anxiety and depression.

Parents' excessive concern is one of the causes of pressure for children. Parents should listen to their children and be closer to them. When parents understand their children's thoughts, aspirations, strengths and weaknesses, they will be able to provide appropriate guidance and motivate them to strive. Don't let them live the life of their parents.

You are entering an important exam, parents, relatives, teachers should motivate you, not pressure you. If your exam results are not as expected, not enough points to enter your dream university, you should not be sad and discouraged because there are many options ahead. University is just a door on the long road to the future.

More than anything, family affection, especially the understanding and companionship of parents, will be a priceless gift that gives children more strength, helping them to be more confident and calm before this important exam. Parents should not put too much emphasis on the issue of passing or failing, high or low scores with their children.

Parents just need to be there, take good care of their children both physically and mentally, and create confidence in their children. There is no better medicine than the encouragement of parents at this time. This will help them reduce stress and anxiety, and confidently enter the exam because all preparations have been made.