I hated exams. Really hated them. I hated the time pressures. I hated the enforced silence. I hated having to sit still for three hours. I hated the weeks of revision (maybe days, ok maybe hours….) and I really hated realising that I had revised the wrong subjects. That unsettling feeling, gazing round at all the pens scribbling away frantically while my pen was being twiddled in my fingers as I waited for the brain to find just one relevant point to write down.
But I really hated the stress and anxiety which goes with exams. I would make myself ill with worry. I felt terrible. That can’t be healthy or good for a teenager.
Already Hawklad is starting to get significant worries from the impending mock exams. Really bad worries. He’s worried about struggling with understanding the time constraints. He’s worried about his handwriting. He’s worried about the alternative (trying to work with a scribe that he just doesn’t know). He’s worried about not being able to get the stuff in his brain out onto the paper. He’s worried about the pressure causing his dyslexia to return and nit being able to read the questions. He’s worried about having to sit still (he naturally paces around). He’s worried about sitting next to strangers. He’s worried about exam questions that remind him of his anxieties that have beset him. He’s worried about the silence and how that could spark anxiety meltdowns. I could go on but let’s just say the exams are getting to him.
How can all this pressure be anything other than harmful for someone who is battling serious anxiety and phobia issues…..
His main exams are in June next year, although he has to take a couple this year. So what do we do. I’m going to speak to his psychologist for advice but decisions have to be made. I’m not going to let exam worries get to him like they got to me.
A Dad trying to cope with the loss of his Partner and becoming a single parent. 
It makes perfect sense for them to let him take his exams orally–which means, I’m sure, that they won’t. Poor guy. I am so sorry for both of you.
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They can but he would loose marks awarded for grammar in all the subjects. Plus he would struggle talking with a stranger.
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If his grammar were correct, why would he? Unless, perhaps, because he isn’t punctuating when he speaks. Just seems grossly unfair to me.
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Well, my final exams are also coming in this month. I can say that exams are most terrifying thing for students.
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They are, good luck.
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Thanks
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That is a good plan. Maybe the psychologist can suggest an alternative
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I hope so
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Speaking to a psychologist to get advice sounds like a good step!
I’m very sorry for both of you. This sounds so absolutely stressful!
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Thanks. Too many children are suffering from stress due to school.
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It’s good you really appreciate what he’s experiencing. PS I used to love exams
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I wish I was like you,
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😎
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Hoping you can get something less stressful sorted. I hated exams, but that was because I knew I would fail them mostly, lol.
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They are a nightmare ❤️
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I actually rather enjoyed exams, but, for the life of me I cannot see the point of the standard approach to testing ability having any purpose at all for Hawklad
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Man I can relate! I constantly failed exams. I hope you do not mind but the links below are helpful for anxiety. I do these with my kids when I find that one or all of us are starting to feel anxious. One is called the figure 8. The other is called the hook. I know probably have gone through this before and have tried multiple things already but somehow these help calm the nervous system.
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Even without the challenges the lad has to deal with, exams can be very stressful and some people are just not good, do not demonstrate their true abilities. I hope your psychologist can make a helpful suggestion.
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Thank you. Let’s hope
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Good for you Gary. I hope you can get something sorted to help him in his struggles.
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Will definitely try. Thanks Di
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Is there anyone who loves taking exams? Here’s hoping that with advice from Hawklad’s psychologist, you will be able to help your son through the stressful exam period.
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I just hope we find a way
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I too always hated exams and I still do. What you described meets my experience. So, I can only imagine what an immense pressure it must be for the poor boy.
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There is far too much pressure put on our children. ❤️
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What if a civilization didn’t judge their children? That could be a wonderful vision to aim for.
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What if there was a world full of potential, actually being supported and not measured by the views of the corrupt?
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Humans supporting each other in equal measure, now that I’d love to sign up to. How the humans interact at present is shameful, not all, but those at the top and the pen pushers that support them.
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They need to grow up so much faster.
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It’s always been uncomfortable to me to work as a substitute teacher and be reminded of the 101 ways school didn’t fit me, and to see it being repeated all over again for the next generations…
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I did too! What a nightmare. I think an orally is so much better. I hope that is possible for your son.
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I can understand. Preparing for exams while suffering from anxiety is very difficult. Please focus on getting better first. With reduced anxiety, he can study better
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Thank you
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