- author, Bethan Lewis
- role, BBC Wales Education and Family Correspondent
-
Thousands of students and their families are counting down the days until summer exams begin.
Wellness and refresher support is provided at Islewyn High School in Caerphilly through breakfast and after-school sessions and online tutoring for students who have difficulty attending.
For the first time since 2019, no additional support will be provided to deal with the effects of the pandemic.
One teacher said students have been “really hit hard” by the coronavirus and its aftermath.
GCSE exams start on May 9 and Oliver and Josh, both 15, will sit around 15 papers.
“You have to be careful not to constantly reassess; doing too much just adds to the pressure,” Josh said.
Mr Oliver said some of his friends were feeling stressed at this time of year and thought there would be “a little more pressure than last year” when submitting some papers in Year 10.
Both are looking forward to finishing the exam, although Josh finds it “almost a thrill.”
Looking ahead to “one of the longest summers” is Oliver's motivation for six weeks of hard work.
What can parents do?
Students are not the only ones feeling the pressure of exams.
Charlotte Camplejohn shares parenting tips on her blog. mummy feverlives near Mold, Flintshire, and is a mother of four children.
One of her children is taking her GCSEs this summer and another is taking her A-levels.
Charlotte said it would help to “make sure they're well-fed, that they're not eating rubbish, and that they're well hydrated.”
And sleep is also an important factor, she added.
image source, Charlotte Camplejohn
Competitive swimmer Megan took her GCSEs two years ago and Charlotte said one of the lessons she learned was that sport had helped her.
“I know that some parents tend to pull their kids away from those activities because they feel like they have to reassess,” she says.
“From our experience, it's kind of counterproductive. In fact, maintaining that routine and staying focused on things is actually really important, especially if it's a sport.
“It keeps them disciplined.”
How do you deal with exam stress?
- Prepare the night before: Please prepare your belongings. Find out when and where your exam will be held.Please leave enough time to get there
- Try some relaxation techniques: Avoid last-minute cramming. Focus on staying calm.Breathing techniques are effective
- Don't compare your answers. Once the exam is over, try to let go of the exam talk.
- Reward yourself: Then let's do something nice to switch off
Megan, 17, said swimming was a “mental break” from orthodontic treatment.
The course content was removed when Megan sat her GCSEs after exams were canceled due to the pandemic.
This year, no content has been removed and, unlike last year, there is no advance information that may appear in the newspaper.
“I feel more knowledge and more pressure this year,” she said.
Students have been 'really hit hard'
At Islewyn High School, near Blackwood, review support is available after school, lunchtimes and holidays.
“Especially in half-term, we'll be offering pizza and things like that to give them an incentive to come to school to revise for their exams,” deputy principal Owen Williams said.
And for students who are reluctant to attend school, there is still support available through online tutoring.
“We have a team of staff members who are in regular contact with students who are experiencing difficulties during this time,” Williams added.
Their purpose is to help them come to the building and “ensure they can attend their exams.”
Mr Williams said the Year 11 pupils, who are currently sitting their GCSEs, were in their first year of secondary school when Covid-19 struck, making it a “hugely important time”.
They have been “really hit hard by the pandemic,” he added.
After two years of additional support due to the coronavirus, exams are back to “normal” this year.
