Tips for parents on dealing with exam results.
• Remember, from every crisis comes potential opportunity. Be positive.
• Resist any attempt to "problem solve" for at least a few days after the results.
• Allow everyone some time to get over their upset.
• Find an independent person with whom the child will feel free to discuss what went wrong, and where to go from here.
• Look closely at study and exam technique:
- Did their effort match their achievement?
- Did they spend hours in their room but nothing went in?
- Did they over-estimate their ability?
- Were they doing the right subjects at the right level?
- Did they know it all, but have difficulty getting it down on paper?
- Were they physically and mentally well prepared?
- Were they ill coming up to the exams?
- Did you note any significant changes in their mood or behaviour? If in doubt, seek medical advice.
• It is easier to keep motivated when you know what it is that you want to achieve. Identify what it is that they really want to do when they leave school. Plan for that and not an unrealistic "dream".