If you’ve got a senior student in your home, the end of year means one thing: exams. Whether they’re brushing up for their HSC, VCE, International Baccalaureate or any of the many variations, end-of-year exams can be a challenging time for students. But there are plenty of ways parents and caregivers can support kids in their care. “Stress and anxiety around exams are really common, but parents [and caregivers] can provide support in a number of ways,” says Chris Raptis, a high school teacher and director of tutoring platform Fly Learner, which connects students with experienced tutors Australia-wide. “Creating a positive and nurturing environment, limiting distractions and if required, engaging a tutor to help fill in any knowledge gaps will all help.” 

And when it comes to the practical side of things, ensuring the high-schooler in your care has all the resources and tools they need to succeed in their study kit will help boost confidence, encourage good habits and show them you’re there for emotional support. So, grab a big basket and stock up on exam essentials.

Stock up on Stationery Supplies

‍An assortment of stationery supplies to add to a study kit, arranged in a neat pattern on a teal surface. Products include things like notebooks, pens and flashcards.

Keep plenty of pens, highlighters, rulers and notebooks in their study kit for when students are in the study zone. “The one thing I really need when I’m studying is a good pen,” says Sydney high school student Mia, 16. “I’m a big fan of the Bic four-colour pens. I also like ColourHide notebooks for taking notes.” 

Diaries and desk planners can help with time management and keeping organised, which is crucial when students are juggling multiple subjects and assessment tasks. Other must-haves include sticky flags, page markers and index cards – these make perfect flashcards for cramming sessions. Invest in a mini whiteboard, a teacher’s favourite tool, for brainstorming, drawing diagrams and visualising equations. And don’t sleep on portable hard drives to ensure that they have the documents they need right at their fingertips.

Hot Tip: “Try to make studying fun and enjoyable,” says Mia. “I’ll always have good music playing and good snacks. And I wear my most comfortable clothes.”

What to Try

SEE ALSO: Teacher Tips for Exam Preparation 

‍Create an Exam Care Package

A series of images showing the creation of an exam study kit: a clear pencil case is being filled with stationery, snacks and tissues.

When exam day arrives, help them feel prepared with a collection of exam essentials. Find a clear, zippered pouch (often a requirement for exam rooms) and fill it with pens, pencils, an eraser, a ruler and a calculator (if needed for a maths or science exam). Also consider a small pack of tissues (to avoid any sniffly distractions!) and a few lollies for an energy boost. Check online for rules around approved equipment for the exam room. For example, in NSW you can’t bring in any paper, and calculators must be on the approved list.

Hot Tip “[Reviewing] past exams [is] key,” says Nural Seker, a secondary teacher and founder of education coaching program Learn What Can’t Be Taught. “Make sure [they] have completed enough of them under the same time constraints and compare [their] answers to the examiner report.”

What to Try

Personalise Their Study Essentials

Increase their motivation to sit down and study with some fun personalised gear, such as pencil cases or water bottles emblazoned with their name or a favourite photo to make them smile. Another fun tip is to get their notes printed and bound ready to use well ahead of the exam. “Leave some blank pages in there and they can add to their notes during the study period,” says Nural. Genius.

What to Try

SEE ALSO: High School Homework Tips and Strategies

Draw On Positive Affirmations

‍An assortment of affirmation cards to help with creating a study kit, arranged in a neat pattern on a teal surface.

Affirmation cards inspire reflection and positive thinking, and studies show that affirmations can help improve academic performance, as well as boost confidence and wellbeing. Create a personalised set of affirmation cards for your teen’s study kit by printing out their favourite quotes or study goals for them to stick above their desks for ongoing motivation. To do this, use a design tool like Canva to layout photo-sized (4 by 6 inches) affirmation cards, save them as image files and print them onto photo paper with Officeworks’ Print + Create service. “Setting goals helps students remain focused and motivated to achieve success in their studies,” says Chris. “I always recommend setting clear goals so there’s a benchmark and students can keep themselves accountable.”

What to Try

Download Useful Study Templates

Complete their study kit with some clever templates, such as a study tracker timetable, an exam prep planner and a mind map tool. Print and keep them stored in a folder for easy access. “Some students lack the ability to properly manage their time, and this can place significant strain on their wellbeing,” says Chris. “I recommend creating a study timetable and sticking to it consistently. Being consistent in your studies is the key to success.”

Encourage Balance to Keep Them at Their Best

An assortment of snack supplies to add to a study kit, arranged in a neat pattern on a teal surface. Products include things like mini Mars bars, Mentos and muesli bars.

Sure, this is the time to knuckle down and work hard, but before students get stuck into the heavy lifting, make sure they know that balance is essential. “Students need to be kind and understanding to themselves,” says Nural. “Take time out for yourself and continue to do things that you enjoy, whether it be playing sports, drawing, watching television or socialising with family and friends,” says Chris.

Fill their study kit with their favourite snacks and drinks – fruit and wholegrains are important for concentration and stamina, but don’t forget a few sweet things for when they need a sugar boost! Remember, scheduling study breaks is a good idea, as is setting up rewards to celebrate achievements and boost morale and motivation. Try going to the movies after their first exam, or ordering their favourite takeaway after they finish a four-hour study block. You could even design some ‘fun vouchers’ with bigger rewards, like an activity they’ve always wanted to try, to be cashed in once exams are all over.

What to Try

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