Just like the flu season, it’s exam season and each are regarded with extreme dread and animosity. Parents once again mentally gear themselves up for hours of frustration and exasperation and the kids look forth forlornly at having to spend the next couple of weeks with their noses buried deep in notes and quizzes. I probably touch on this subject once a year, but unfortunately since my children are all still schooling age, the season of exams brings forth new challenges every year. My oldest, I feel, might be starting to become a bit more independent, but my son provides me with enough challenging situations that causes me to be unwillingly but actively be involved in the exam warfare once again.

With an abundance of excuses, whines and sometimes even mild weeping my children bring their books to start what is dreadfully known as revision. In my heart of hearts I’d rather throw the towel in and run off to the seaside as well. But as the adult I do have to be the responsible one, literally and figuratively tugging them by their ear lobes, I reel the lazy child into my web of French verbs, English grammar and the tediousness of science theories. Does revision have to be so devastatingly difficult for both parties involved? Why can we all not think of it as a great big challenging obstacle course to get through?...Unfortunately as I try to boost my children’s low morale with this latest spin on it, no one takes the bait and each looks at me with the Mum’s gone crazy look. Revision is revision, there’s no need to dress it in flowers or balloons, it’s tedious, it’s difficult and it can be soul crushing.

But no one can hide from exams. They are a necessary evil in the everyday workings of life. This is the only way the normal orthodox and currently accepted way of teaching children. You teach, you revise and you test to see if they have learnt the information. Thus looking at the cards we’re dealt with here are a few ways to make as revision as interesting as possible:

1. Since these tips are usually addressed at the 7 to 14 age group, we can incorporate learning into every day life. Math’s can be learnt at the grocery store, addition, subtraction etc are all easy methods used to weight out the fruit and vegetables. Then, trips to the museum offers an excellent premise to updating oneself on the countries history and so forth.

2. Try and make the whole revision and exam schedule a personal challenge, with rewards for those who did well. Follow through on giving little gifts or encouraging notes along at each process of revision, practice and eventual exam.

3. Be as encouraging as possible, I know out of your own frustration and desire not to be involved it is easy to dwell deeper into the endless rounds of nagging. Try and avoid this if possible, this only sends home that revision and exams are tedious and best to be avoided if possible.

4. Children are unable to concentrate for long, therefore do not plan long days of revision, break it up, have an occasionally sports lesson, visit to the grandma’s etc planned, this helps to break up the monotony and in the long run will be more productive.

5. Instill in your child the importance of exams, and the expectations you have for them. Be disciplined in your own work style, do not procrastinate even the simple jobs. I understand it’s easier said than done, but children do learn a lot from watching and listening. From the beginning instill in your child responsible ways of studying and your families views on the importance of education.

Thus here are a few new ways of tackling the exams once again. Some might have been tried and tested, but with children you can only keep trying. These formative years seem long and tedious now, but they are the most precious. Spending those hours with them teaching the basics that will in some be their future roles in life are clearly moments to treasure. Even though it’s exam revision, it’s time spent with your children and THAT is always enjoyable!

By Mayuri Jayasinghe