The right type of “P” for exams

As the tension builds and the anxiety heightens, it marks the dawn of examinations. This sprint run can start developing all sorts of physical, mental and emotional barriers; the bi-products of exams don’t only affect the student, but the entire household. Over the years, the following strategies have been deemed to be helpful when choosing to plan ahead for exams for students: namely, a well-balanced diet, a good dose of exercise, and a sufficient amount of sleep: these tips will aid in ensuring that a student’s brain and body are more alert and perceptive when revising. The most important tip is to choose “Preparation” rather than “Procrastination” … choosing the right type of “P” is most potent when dealing with the onset of exam stress and the marathon that one must endure through the schooling career.

Home-schooling has been found to be extremely effective, especially when it comes to quality over quantity. There are many benefits seen in students through home-schooling when compared to the familiar main stream schools. These benefits include individualised and targeted tuition (as opposed to teaching to the majority), special needs and abilities are catered for, no negative peer pressure, students are far less anxious - which allow them the time needed to focus on coping with their mental health condition and easing into a good academic routine, having the time to focus on personal care and passion driven subjects, and not forgetting the strong family relationships built.

Whilst the benefits of home schooling seem like the answer to all the issues addressed at main stream schools, there are draw-backs to home- schooling: often implies limited exposure to team sports or social events (which can be combated by students joining their own unique recreational groups that they join outside of home-schooling, or join a home-school based curriculum to have that interaction with other students), obtaining a well- rounded teacher/tutor to expertly teach what is required, having to obtain and submit work for certain subjects and lastly the ability to set rules and times for school hours (to differentiate between a “home- school” and “main stream school” environment).