Ideas needed - GCSE care kit

[teenagersandatoddler]

I am looking to put together a card kit for my DS who is starting GCSEs next week. He is really nervous with dyslexia and slow cognitive processing. I want to get him something fun but useful to lift him slightly. All ideas welcomed x

I didn't do a care kit. Maybe a new thing for a sport/hobby they do (shuttlecock set/shinguards/set of reeds/guitar strings)?

As an aside:

I made sure that they had a decent breakfast/sent them with bacon rolls (insert acceptable alternative)/made sure flapjacks and cake always available/kept the fruit bowl topped up.

We went to the park after tea a few times for a knockaround on the field with a football/did circuits on the community cardio equipment/reduced hobby nights from two to one per week.

PS an anxious time for parents so I am sending a non mumsnetty hug for you. [hug]

Not useful, but I got my daughter this and it made her smile 😊

I made up a little kit for each of mine, varying the individual items according to their preferences.

Mini highlighters
Post-it notes
Stress ball
Hot chocolate sachets (or herbal teabags)
Cereal bars (or other snack)

I always got a little trinket or something like the penguin above to take into the exam hall with me. I still have them. There's one that my dad gave me, I think at the start of GCSEs, which is a little brass monkey statue which he took into all his exams too. It's still on my desk (I'm 40) and I still stroke if when I feel like I need some good vibes.

DD watched episodes of The IT Crowd in between revision sessions.

I think giving them "permission" to have a break helps a lot.

I got my daughter a Lego set she wanted - she found it quite useful to be able to switch off and just do a few bits of that in the evening.

A few years back I got DD1 a mini present < £5 after each exam. Note that this was in the final years of the old style GCSEs so fewer exams. DD2 got a present too for being a helpful little sister. Just little things she would like, such as a smelly highlighter, lip balm, small chocolate bar etc.

Snacks! Fun ones and their favourits, mine liked trying Japanese snacks.
Ear plugs, eye mask, pillow spray for good sleep.
Flash cards, revision cards, brain games, Fidget toys, handcream, lip balm, book marks...
We also planned in little rewards for each revision milestone and exam taken.