Tag Archive for: self-care

How Parents Can Help Students Manage Exam Stress

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How Parents Can Help Students Manage Exam Stress

 

How Parents Can Help Students Manage Exam Stress. Photo of parent tutoring his student.

 

Finals week is a stressful time for students, and it can be a challenging time for parents, too. With your child feeling stressed and possibly overwhelmed, it’s natural to feel it with them. While students can implement stress-reduction measures on their own, sometimes they need a little extra guidance at home. We have provided a few steps parents can take to help their students feel less stressed and more in control.

 

Help Your Student Avoid Distractions

We’ve all been there – when it comes to study time, we can sometimes get caught up in the distractions around us. Help your student create a distraction-free study space, or drive them to the library to study. Another valuable lesson you can teach your student is to turn off their phone and place it in another room while studying.


Make Sure Your Student is Getting Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep during finals is extremely important. However, many students struggle to cultivate good sleeping habits during this time. Help your student create a sleep schedule and help them stick to it.


Stay on Top of Your Student’s Exam Schedule

No kid likes a “helicopter parent.” But if your student is a little less organized, they may really need your help in keeping track of exams and planning study schedules. Try creating a “team effort” approach where your role is to provide guidance and structure.


Remain Calm

Stress and anxiety are contagious, and it’s normal to feel the pressure along with your student. But perhaps one of the most important things parents can do during this important period is to model calmness. When your student is feeling overwhelmed, your calm support will go a long way.


Reduce Exam Stress With a Tutor

Final exams can put pressure on the entire family. Thankfully, Hodis Learning & Music has expert educators who are here to help. Schedule a session with one of our experienced tutors today!

Tips for Managing Finals Stress

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Tips for Managing Finals Stress

 

In this blog post, we cover tips for managing finals stress. Photo of student who is stressed out by their final exams. Read now!

 

It’s almost the end of the semester, but before that much-needed break, many students first have to complete final exams. It’s a stressful and challenging time. If you need study tips, check out the Building Strong Study Skills series on our resource blog. 

In addition to studying, you also have to take care of yourself physically and mentally during this time. Below are some tips to help you manage stress in these final weeks of school.


Prioritize Sleep

It might seem like the only way to actually study for all your finals is to pull all-nighters, but this will only negatively affect your ability to function. Staying up all night isn’t effective for studying because, at a certain point, you won’t retain information anymore. Creating a spaced practice for studying in the week or two leading up to your final will be far more beneficial for helping you retain the information. Additionally, sleep will help your brain and body recover so you feel rested and sharp on your test day.


Build in Exercise Breaks

Blow off finals stress with 30 minutes of exercise a few days a week. Choose an activity that feels good; it doesn’t have to be a super hard or expensive class. Follow an online yoga tutorial or go for a walk or jog around the neighborhood. Set a reminder on your phone or block off time in your calendar to make sure you actually take these helpful breaks.


Use Positive Visualization

If you struggle with anxious thoughts or you’re always imagining the worst-case scenarios, try positive visualization before your exam. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and imagine feeling confident and maybe even excited in the exam room. What does confidence feel like? How does your body respond? Do you smile to yourself, sit up straighter, and push your shoulders back? In your head, tell yourself how good you feel about this test, how much time you spent studying, and how you know you have all the information in your head. Imagine you know the answers to every question on the test and how amazing that will feel! Visualize how relaxed and happy you’ll be after the exam. You can repeat this visualization technique several times.


Eat Well & Hydrate

When you’re stressed and tired, it can be easy to reach for a bag of chips or chocolate candy to mindlessly eat while you study. However, it’s more important than ever to fuel your body with nourishing, filling foods. Make yourself a balanced study snack that will keep you full but also energize you without the crash from sugar. Also, make sure you are eating a good breakfast before your exam and drinking lots of water. This will help you feel more awake and give your brain the fuel it needs to perform! Some nourishing study snacks could be:

  • Avocado toast and eggs
  • Peanut butter toast with banana and your favorite nuts on the side 
  • Yogurt with granola and berries
  • Crackers, cheese, almonds, and some sliced apple
  • A turkey sandwich and a handful of chips


Get Ahead of Finals Stress with an Expert Tutor

Hiring a tutor can also be a great way to help you study and prepare for exams. Email us today or call (626) 227-1149 to set up a session today!

 

Learn more about managing stress during finals season. If you’re a parent, learn how you can help your student manage exam stress.

How to Prevent Academic Burnout - 9 Actionable Tips to Maintain Good Mental Health. Image of a boy being overwhelmed by his homework on his computer.

How to Prevent Academic Burnout: 9 Actionable Tips to Maintain Good Mental Health

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How to Prevent Academic Burnout: 9 Actionable Tips to Maintain Good Mental Health

How to Prevent Academic Burnout - 9 Actionable Tips to Maintain Good Mental Health. Image of a boy being overwhelmed by his homework on his computer.

Sometimes students find themselves working really hard in all of their classes, studying at all hours, and aiming for straight A’s and perfect test scores. But after a few months, students often find themselves feeling tired all the time, irritable, disinterested in school, and unmotivated to do anything related to classes. In fact, these situations may devolve to the point where students no longer meet important deadlines, lose confidence in their academic abilities, and fall into bad habits like overeating or nail biting. This process is called academic burnout.

It arises from devoting too much time and energy to school and neglecting other needs and desires. So how do you prevent academic burnout? It really all comes down to self-care. The following list offers actionable self-care items to prevent academic burnout or to shift out of a state of burnout.


(1.) Make Time for Activities That Bring You Joy

Taking a break from studying and doing something fun like going to the movies or taking a trip to the beach can help students reset before they get back into their studies. It is helpful to block out time in your schedule for leisure activities.


(2.) Make Time for Social Activities

Along the same lines as the first suggestion, social activities provide a mental break from studying. Hanging out with good friends not only helps students feel supported and accepted, but also relieves stress and anxiety.


(3.) Exercise Regularly

Sitting all day is not good for students’ minds or bodies. Experts recommend that people get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 90 minutes of intense aerobic exercise weekly to improve cardiovascular health, reduce stress, and boost mental health. This may look like going on a run three times a week for 30 minutes at a time or going on a brisk walk five times a week for 30 minutes at a time.


(4.) Go Outside

Being in nature has been shown to reduce stress and boost mental health. Going on five or ten minute walks in the neighborhood during study breaks is an easy way to check this self-care activity off your list for the day.


(5.) Make Good Connections with Teachers and Peers

Feeling connected to your teacher and peers will make class feel more like a welcoming environment instead of a purely stressful one.


(6.) Set Reasonable Goals

You’re likely not going to get 100% on every single exam. Set goals that are reasonable within your time and energy constraints. Respecting your needs with reasonable goals will actually help you perform better by giving you more energy, motivation, and peace.


(7.) Work on Your Time-Management Skills

Managing time wisely is a skill that will reduce stress and create more peace throughout your entire life. Creating to-do lists and blocking out specific times for your activities in a calendar are two excellent yet simple ways to manage your time. Managing your time well will prevent procrastination.


(8.) Refine Your Study Skills

Many students who experience burnout tend to study hard, but may not be studying efficiently or effectively. Learn how to develop your study skills by reading our Building Strong Study Skills Series (see our study skills Roadmap) or by meeting with one of our expert tutors.


(9.) Ask for Help When You Need It

There’s nothing wrong with needing help. If you’re struggling with cultivating the above self-care skills, ask someone who you trust to help you. Or if you’re finding a concept or course to be challenging, ask someone who you know will be able to help and who won’t feel burdened by your request. You can always hire one of our expert tutors to guide you through any challenging course.

Self-care is an invaluable skill that will help any student succeed in academics and in all other aspects of their life. Begin utilizing these tools now to prevent yourself from burning out. And be patient with yourself – it may take time to learn these tools and successfully apply them to your life.

5 Tips for Starting a Productive and Stress-Free School Year. Image shows a chalk board with the blog post's name on it. Books, school supplies, an apple, and a graduation cap can be seen in the photo, along with Hodis Learning & Music's logo.

5 Tips for Starting a Productive and Stress-Free School Year

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5 Tips for Starting a Productive and Stress-Free School Year

5 Tips for Starting a Productive and Stress-Free School Year. Image shows a chalk board with the blog post's name on it. Books, school supplies, an apple, and a graduation cap can be seen in the photo, along with Hodis Learning & Music's logo.

Can you believe that school is starting already? After a summer of no classes it can be difficult to readjust to the schedule and demands of school. Here are 5 tips to get back into the swing of things a little more swiftly and cultivate a productive, stress-free school year.


1. Reset your sleep schedule.

Many students experience fatigue when returning to school because they’re not used to waking up so early for class. To nip this fatigue in the bud, allow your body to readjust its circadian rhythm by beginning to wake up at the time you will for classes at least a few days before they start.


2. Make a study plan.

I get it, making a study plan is the last thing you want to do while you’re technically still on summer break. But this practice is invaluable as it will prepare you for a less stressful and more productive school year. Look through your syllabi, take note of large exam dates, and schedule blocks of time each week to study and complete homework for each class. Don’t forget to schedule extra study sessions before your big exams, too. Use the roadmap from our Building Strong Study Skills Series to employ the most effective study strategies.


3. Budget time for hanging out.

Yes, you’re in school to receive an education that will prepare you for your career and any future education you may pursue. But school is also full of people and experiences that will stick with you for life. Spending time with good friends is a great way to feel connected, accepted, and happy. So when you’re thinking about your schedule, be sure to budget time for hanging out with friends. If you’re intentional in structuring your schedule, you can give yourself room to excel as a student and a friend.


4. Understand your resources.

Your school likely offers more resources than you are aware of. Give yourself some time to familiarize yourself with resources like college preparation resources, community service recommendations for high school service requirements, and guidance and counseling services. If you’re a college student, look into professors’ office hours, student health services, and organized study groups. And remember, expert private tutors at Hodis Learning & Music are available to serve K-12 and College students. Knowing your options ahead of time will help when you need to use them.


5. Try something new.

If your motivation is struggling from the grind of classes, sometimes changing it up can help. Join a new club or organization on campus or pursue a new hobby. There are so many areas to explore: sports, theater, music, art, etc. Trying something new can help you feel excited again.

Good luck with your start to the new school year! May it be a time of growth and learning.

 

Start a Stress-Free School Year with an Expert Private Tutor Today

Call or email us to learn more and get started!

Three Changes You Can Make to Improve Your Academic Experience

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Three Changes You Can Make to Improve Your Academic Experience

It may not seem like it, but what we do and how we take care of ourselves outside of school and work can impact how we perform in those settings. Below are three self-care tips you can use to improve your academic experience and help you do better in school or in your tutoring sessions. 

Sleep More

I remember when I was in high school, I used to go to sports practices right after school, then sometimes another activity like volunteering or a club meeting, then do homework and study until midnight. I’d wake up the next day at 6:30 AM to start all over again. I’m shocked to think that I sacrificed so much sleep during that time. I made it through, but I remember countless days of dragging through classes and “studying” late but not retaining information. 

Sleep is so important, especially for our younger students, who need significantly more sleep to support their growth and development. More hours of good quality sleep will make you feel more energized, you’ll be able to retain information better, and your mood will be improved.

Some ways you can improve your sleep are to keep a regular bedtime, limit screen use before bed, and limit light and sound exposure. 

Cut Back on Processed Foods

The food you eat can directly correlate to your brain function and mood. If you’re just looking for a simple place to start, try to cut back on the amount of caffeine and soda you consume. Try to add a serving of vegetables to at least one meal a day, then increase that to two meals a day. And pay attention to when you crave that bag of chips or those vending machine candies. Are you hungry, or just tired and bored? 

Even those small shifts can start to make an impact on how you feel and perform in school, work, and your daily life.

Get Outside

We spend a lot of our time sitting inside whether it’s for work or school. Moving around outside can improve your mood, help you sleep better, and give your mind a break from sitting and thinking. Try to get outside for about 30 minutes every day. Maybe you can go on a short walk, or maybe take small breaks to stand and stretch in the fresh air.

Final Thoughts

While these are just general, small self-care recommendations that we have found to improve our own performance as tutors and teachers, we are by no means doctors or nutritionists. If you want more information or you’re trying to make larger lifestyle changes, we recommend you consult your physician!

When it comes to expert-level tutoring, music, and art lessons, Hodis Learning & Music offers the best and most affordable options! And we always want to make sure we’re encouraging success and confidence beyond the classroom, which is why we offer tips and advice like the article above. Schedule your first session today by calling us at 626-227-1149 or by submitting a form on our contact page.