Now that Thanksgiving is over everyone is looking forward to Christmas! This is true for most people, however, if you have a high school student, December means the dreaded finals are coming soon!
Five ways you can help make finals a little less stressful and a lot more successful!
- Encourage your student to get the sleep they need. Late night and middle of the night study sessions are rarely helpful. A study put out by UCLA found that “kids who didn’t get enough sleep were not only more likely to have problems understanding during class, a result the researchers had expected, but they were more likely to do badly on tests, quizzes and homework – the very outcome the students were staying up late to avoid.”
- Offer to facilitate group study sessions. There is a great deal of research that promotes student-led study groups. If you host the study session you can help monitor the progress and ensure it is staying focused and not filled with distractions. Encourage the students to ask each other questions about and elaborate on content; create and implement quizzing activities; and create outlines, flashcards or study guides.
- Did you know that most teachers provide review sessions prior to the exam? Ask your student when that session is and ensure that it is attended.
- Provide and encourage fun brain break activities for your student. Movement during a study break is a great way to generate increased oxygen flow to the brain and re-energize the body.
- Remind your student that his identity is not in his grades. Take the pressure off and remind her that she is not defined by her own glory (grades and GPAs) and the things she does, but her identity is in Christ and what He did for her.
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ: and I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And the real life I now have within this body is a result of my trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Out team at Premier Education is praying for our students and host families as you all prepare for the season of Christmas and finals!