How can I help my child revise for their GCSEs?

If you have a child about to start their GCSEs, there are probably any number of questions spinning around your mind. Aside from the obvious one (where has all the time gone?) you might well be wondering about how best to support your teen through this time. Here are some simple pieces of advice from the Oxford Revise Team that we hope will support both you and your child through GCSEs.

Show them you are interested: Take time to listen and understand their goals without piling on too much pressure. Your child’s school may well put on a GCSE Guide for Parents and Carers session which would be very useful to go to.

Help to create a calm home environment and quiet space to study: This is easier said than done but where possible try to create quieter times in the day where your child can study without too many distractions.

Ensure they have Revision Guides for their subjects: We recommend the award-winning Oxford Revise guides obviously 😉. They contain EVERYTHING students need to know, the strategies to help them recall the information they need, and shed loads of practice to ensure they are confident and exam ready.

Plan a revision timetable together: Help your child create an overview of what they need to revise and break each subject down into manageable chunks. Set definite start and finish times for revision sessions and have a clear goal for each session.

Encourage lots of breaks: Taking breaks is crucially important. Make sure there are lots of opportunities to recharge those batteries, including with fresh air, exercise, and friends.

Support healthy routines: A healthy, balanced diet is particularly important during exams times. Getting enough sleep and exercise is crucial too – walking, swimming, playing footie – it doesn’t matter what type but any kind of exercise is good for clearing the mind, relieving stress and giving energy levels a boost.

Look out for signs of stress: Exams can be an anxious time and with GCSEs there are so many different subjects, and so much content it’s very natural to be worried. However, you know your child best so look out for signs of stress such as becoming tearful, withdrawing, experiencing poor sleep, losing appetite etc. and seek help from your GP if you are concerned.

Get involved with quizzing: You don’t have to be an expert or have GCSEs yourself to help! Testing your child using retrieval questions in Oxford Revise Guides is a helpful way to test knowledge – and the answers are all there in the books for you! Other things you can do in the home include some revision classics like sticking Post-It notes to the fridge door or mug cupboard. Oldies but goodies for a reason – reading over that quote or definition every time you make a cup of tea does help the knowledge to stick.

Help with motivation: It’s worth thinking about a motivational treat that might help your child to navigate this period and keep focused as best as they can. This doesn’t have to be anything expensive or elaborate but something to keep in mind for the tougher periods of revision. It could be a special meal, a night out with friends, or a trip to see family, whatever your child would enjoy and help them to keep motivated.

Preparing for results day: Results day can feel like a huge weight on your shoulders as well as your child’s. Jubilation, anxiety, disappointment – a whole heap of emotions can be wrapped up in that day. Prior to results day, help to reassure your child that whatever the results, that you love them, are proud of them and will be celebrating everything that they’ve achieved over the last 11 or so years of schooling, no matter the results. Help them to see the bigger picture – exams are important, but they aren’t everything and can be taken again if necessary.

Find free planning tools, practice papers, expert exam walkthrough videos and much more: www.oxfordrevise.com