Exam time is coming once again, stay tuned to find out how to help your child prepare for this stressful time of their lives.

With the beginning of a new year come exams. In March there will be the SEA exam for 11 and 12 year olds and for the secondary students come April there will be CXC and Advanced level exams.  There’s no escaping the fact that this can be one of the most stressful parts of your child’s life – but there's a lot that parents can do to help. Today we offer you tips and advice on helping your child prepare for exams.

Be Prepared! Be well versed with the 4 Ps – Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. The most effective way of alleviating the stress brought on by tests and exams is to be well prepared.

Cover Everything.  Organise and timetable the period running up to exams. Help your child write down the topics they have to cover – then divide them by the days left until exams begin. This way, they’ll be sure to cover all their subjects, not just their favourite ones!

Practice Makes Perfect. The last stage of revision should involve practice in answering examination questions in the time allowed. It’s important that your child not only knows his work, but is able to regurgitate that information in the allocated time-span of the exam.

Take A Break. Recognise that concentration falls off after a certain amount of time. This can vary from person to person, but a short break is a good idea every 60 or 90 minutes. A brisk walk is a great way to recharge the batteries.

Cook The Books.  Feed the body and you feed the mind. Omega 3 fish oils are said to be an aid to concentration. Make sure they eat healthily and regularly and don't let them skip meals.

Rest The Mind.  Make sure they get a good night’s sleep. Give your child time to wind down if they’ve been studying in the evening. Let them watch a bit of TV have a warm drink and a read before trying to go to sleep.

But Then It's Up To Them!  At the end of the day, you can insist that your child stays in and spends a certain amount of time in front of their books but you can’t make them study. Take the time to talk to your children about the importance for them of doing well. They have to want to do it for themselves. If they don’t work hard and fail, it will be a salutary lesson to them that they are ultimately responsible for themselves and that it usually takes an effort to succeed in life.