Mumsnet users share how they support their children during exam period with IKEA

[JustineBMumsnet]

We're going to close this discussion for now as the relevance has changed following recent news. We'll be starting a new discussion in partnership with IKEA soon. Anyone who has posted here already will still be entered into the prize draw, and we'll get back to you about when that will be.

At exam time, seeing your child apply themselves probably fills you with a sense of pride. But despite this exam periods can be a confusing time for all involved, and as a parent it can be difficult to know what you can do to support your child, and help them achieve all they’re capable of. With this in mind, IKEA would like to hear about the small ways you support your child through exam period.

Here’s what Marie Tenglund, Interior Design Leader at IKEA has to say: “Having somewhere for your child to study which feels right for them is really important. Whether they have their own dedicated desk or not, an effective workspace needs to start with the basics; a sturdy worksurface, a work lamp with directed light which will ensure your child’s eyes doesn’t strain and a comfortable chair with adjustable height that is ergonomic and gives your child the most comfortable seating position.

It’s hard to concentrate with lots on, so using pegboards and picture ledges will help to keep the work space clean and clear avoiding unnecessary time looking for lost homework or revision papers. If space is tight, a flexible workspace, maybe by the dining table or kitchen island, could be the right solution for you. A trolley or a movable drawer unit, organised with books and stationery completes any temporary workspace.

Another way to be smart with your kids’ workspace at home is to ‘Grow with your study-buddy’. Use the PÅHL child’s desk which adjusts to different heights, from starting school to studying for your GCSE’s. A great sustainable way to prolong the lifespan of a product which is great for the environment and saves money in the long run.”

Have you made sure your child has a dedicated space with a desk and a proper lamp to revise in peace, quiet and efficiency? Maybe you’re focused on ensuring they’re eating ‘brain food’ or keeping their energy levels up? Perhaps you encourage them to get outside for some fresh air or exercise each day to clear their minds?

Whatever you do to support your children through their exam period, share it on the thread below and you’ll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 IKEA gift voucher.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

I don't have children of exam age but I am an invigilator fo GCSEs and A-Levels.

I think this year could be particularly stressful with the uncertainty of if and when exams are happening.

My advice is that they should know all the rules for the exam room such as removing labels from water bottles, having clear pencil cases having watches on the desks not their wrists and using black pens.

If they know all this in advance it won't throw them when they get told they can't bring certain things in.

Please also remind them if they have a mobile phone in the room it could result in them failing their exam even if it is turned off!!!!

I have a 14 year old boy who is currently doing assesments, we are making sure that he is eating enough and getting extra sleep. Relaxing and having some time for mindfulness and relaxation. Less time on his phone but enough time to be able to connect with his friends and still lead a normal life. He is incredibly invested in his exams as he wants to become a marine biologist.

I make sure my daughter has peace to study in the place she feels most comfortable, I ensure her younger siblings don't disturb her. I order all the stationery she needs in advance so that everything is ready.

Peace and quiet, space to study - she has a desk, but usually works on her bed! Help with planning time for revision and including breaks and enough sleep.
Having absolutely everything ready - exam timetables, all stationery stocked up, clear pencil cases etc .
Good food plus snacks and treats for post exams planned.

Encouragement and listening to moans and complaints. Keeping sight of the bigger picture. No chores during the exams, provide good food and snacks, help with timetable and bag packing when brains are mushed. Try and keep distractions away!

Lots of snacks to motivate. (If you do 45 mins I'll make you a sandwich)

Peace and quiet

No assuming how I'd revise is how they should revise.

Have lots of stationery like printer ink to print past papers.

Biting my tongue when they are a bit arsey. It's just a few weeks so you can correct them afterwards.

Encouraging them to make plans for after exams (maybe not this year but on normal years)

Letting them off chores during exam period.

Making sure everything is quiet at night so they can sleep well.

Making breakfast on exam days. Mine don't eat in the morning but appreciate a cereal bar and juice

Both of mine have desks. My son has bad anxiety so I am trying not to be too pushy. He is revising though so we shall see. I think the best thing we have done is look at all the college courses and chosen back up courses with lower grade requirements just in case. Then no matter what happens it's not the end of the world and we have a plan.

I think peace and quiet and having a desk/workspace is important. I've encouraged even from primary school that siblings have to respect others doing their homework and not disturb each other. This obviously does get more important as they reach exam level.

I prepare a timetable to spread out the revision time and 'down' time to balance out the studying. I make sure the diet is mixed with lots of greens and fish, and treats for when studying is done.

Internet is off at 10

The current climate we are in - I am waiting to hear what will happen if the school close - will exams be done / delayed.

My DCS are taking exams this year .I ensure that they have peace and quiet
Print past papers/ revision notes.
My dd (16) dislikes English Literature so I read her set books/ poems and we discuss them. This has also been useful for me as it encourages me to read more often .

Buy them the odd treat to keep their spirits up.
Make sure that they have stationery, books etc

Encourage them to reduce social media.

I think it's really important to listen to them on how they want to get through revision/exam season. I rememebr staying up until the early hours of the morning revising the day before my a levels and my parents being so cross but in reality, it worked well for me and I did very well. So definitely listen to them first and try to support as best you can. I also think a supportive, quiet environment is essential. A desk in a quiet room if possible without distractions makes all the difference. Same with IT provision and background music on if they want it. I try to keep siblings out of the way and advise we will check in every hour or so to see if they want a snack/drink/any help from us

Not at this stage yet with my kids but thinking back to when I was doing exams, the most important things were snacks, a quiet place to work, some time out/fun things to look forward to and someone to vent to- family, friends etc.

Lots of support, ensuring there are breaks and little chats with cups of tea. Soothing them when they have the freakouts and reminding them that it is not the end of the world if things go awry.

Lots of encouragement but mainly a do your best attitude

Well, lots of usual things like: space to work, regular snacks and check-ins, support as needed/asked for, such as practising quotes or purchasing revision books, notecards etc.
More importantly than all this, however, is to assure them that their academic achievements are not the be all and end all. That this is not their last chance at learning/sitting exams. That life won't unravel if they press pause and try again. That they are waaaay more than their exam grades. That most of us have learnt most when we have failed at something. Help them aim big, but know that sometimes getting there takes more than one go.
Love them.
Stop yourself believing that your child's achievements are yours, or are a reflection on your parenting ability. They're not.

Are you all managing to keep this level of encouragement up? Knowing that the exams are unlikely to happen? With such serious things going on? My DD is still taking the exams seriously, though is now working on her own at home, and she knows that the exams may well not happen.

Because of the uncertainty of school and teaching at these times, I would like to be able to find more online resources that can help my children during exams. They are doing GCSEs and A Levels this year. Does anyone have any suggestions? Anything would be very helpful.

Encourage them to take breaks when they are studying.
To draw up their own study plan and not to panic if friends appear to have done more or less study.
If one exam hasn't gone as well as planned, try to encourage them to not dwell on it but get ready for the next one.

Plan ahead, little and often in 10 minute bursts, focus on areas you feel you will need a boost. Don't panic and start as soon as possible.

We've only had SATs so far and I've downplayed them so as not to get them stressed, and planned a surprise treat for us all when it's done

With GCSEs etc I plan to do what my parents did with my sisters and I, occasional treats to keep them going during revision like their favourite tea, a bar of chocolate every now and then etc - nothing that costs a lot, if anything, but recognises the effort they are putting in at the time and to keep them going when it's starting to get too much. Plan chill out time between revision and bed, and then if I can afford it a treat overnight trip of their choice just me and them once exams are over to wherever/do whatever - rewarding the effort not the outcome - which I'll agree with them before revision starts so they have something to look forward to

Very worrying time with the current situation which piles on a load of what-ifs into the already stressful time.

DS has a separate room with desk in to study apart from his bedroom to try and separate the functions. I realise this is a luxury and not everyone is able to but it helps us.

Snacks to motivate and rewards when the effort is tip top.

Trying to keep calm and act as if exams are going to happen to plan whilst panicking about momentum being lost if they are delayed significantly.

I think talking about how other people revise has really helped - rather than just saying you must do this. One of my dc is highly motivated by attractive stationery, so fancy flashcard sets and notepads have helped.

I find children who find studying hard are best served when you can make it fun. I had a son who was so bright still is but hated studying so to make it easier we as parents got some of his friends round,cleared the kitchen table and made them pizzas,We put the radio on and snacks were available to them to help themselves.Our house was over taken by teenagers and you would imagine this to be a disaster for revision but it worked like a dreamThe pressure was off for them due to it being a relaxed atmosphere and it was amazing to see the exam club in full swing.They all helped each other and each others strengths came out and they did the work together in a warm friendly happy relaxed way.My kitchen became a hive of activity mixed with laughter .We made it fun to study for them or as close to fun as you can get.e did this at our house 3 times a week for about 8/10 kids.They worked hard all of them with their friends and all got into their first choice if university..more by luck than judgement you may say but I am not so sure on that. They did work and pull together and helped each other . It doesnt have to be done in silence to work..the only downside was having my home invaded for a while with noisy boys but it was a small price to pay and I would do it all again...

We are in a once in a generation crisis, and my children are anxious enough, I try to play down the pressure, if the news is due to go on, I will turn the television off and put on a David Attenborough type documentary.

I ensure early nights, set my modem to disconnect from their devices at 10 pm until 6 pm the next day.

I trust them to revise, and take breaks as again ~ I want to reduce the pressure

Would I have taken the same tactic this time last year - perhaps not, but my children's mental health has to take priority - I will support, answer questions and protect from the worst of the media.

lots of time to study