The IB is notorious for being an extremely difficult curriculum, with difficult assessments and difficult examinations all around. The exams are especially nerve wracking, as they make up the biggest portion of an IB student’s final grade.
As parents, you play an extremely pivotal role in supporting your child through this rigorous period. By knowing how to offer support to your children, you can optimize their chances of success and ensure that they are not alone in this process! Here are 4 key elements you must keep in mind to cheer your child on:
Keeping Track of Exams
IB exams are scattered across a whole month. The first step you should take to supporting your child is by being aware of when their exams are taking place!
Weeks before exams start rolling in, take some time to speak to your child about their exam schedule. Ask them about it and make sure all the exam details they mention are listed on your own planner! Alternatively, you can contact your child’s school for the full exam schedule.
Keeping track of your child’s exams can help you determine times where they may need additional support from you. Some exams are harder than others; when these exams come around, they might need more of your encouragement!
Welfare to Keep Spirits Up
Studying and reviewing for a month is extremely overwhelming and tiring for many students. Having enough energy to consistently prepare for exams is what students need to excel. The easiest way to have your child recharge is through foods and beverages!
During my exams, I particularly enjoyed jelly drinks, rice crackers, and wafers, as these were the most refreshing and accessible snacks I had around. Each person will certainly have distinct preferences, so do check with your child in regards to what they need to be all refreshed.
Of course, preparing snacks at home isn’t the only way you can provide an extra boost for your child! You can also take them out for a short meal outside! Letting them take a breath of fresh air away from piles of notes and the thick IB textbooks can help them feel much better for their exam.
Giving Space
In between all the studying and exam hours, your child certainly needs time to rest. Even while they’re reviewing for their upcoming exams, they need some time for themselves. Keeping an eye on them 24/7 to ensure they’re studying well can cause discomfort.
As such, allow your child to have some independence in how they organize themselves for the finals! As much as they need your support, they need their own space to think clearly and uplift themselves throughout the exams period.
In order to make sure you are not disturbing your child, try to speak with them far before their first exam about their no-disturbance periods and boundaries. You can then adjust your approach to their needs. For example, if they state that they wish to be undisturbed between 8PM until 10PM to study, you can then block out this time frame for other activities!
Celebrating Achievements
Your child has probably studied very hard for their exams, and like any other person, they want their hard work to be valued and appreciated!
At the end of each exam, let your child know that they’ve done their best and that you’re proud of them! Keep their spirits lifted for the coming exam sessions. Once exams are fully done, they would definitely enjoy a small celebration with you! Whether it’s a simple dinner or a full-fledged trip somewhere, it’s great to invest some time into celebrating your child’s achievements, as they are also one of your greatest achievements!
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The IB exams will be one of the most, if not the most important part of your child’s secondary education journey. Having been a part of their lives for long, your care for them will be especially needed throughout the challenging exams.
Regardless of the final results, we hope that you will be proud of whatever your child has achieved. Each child is tailored towards a different field, each with different expected skill sets and qualities. Beyond the IB exams, keep supporting your child through their further studies, careers, and more!
