Parents should foster belief in their child’s ability to succeed, offer steady support, and create a calm, psychologically safe environment during exam preparation. This viewpoint was shared by Oksana Golerova, a teacher-psychologist with the City Psychological and Pedagogical Center (GPPC) of the Moscow Department of Education and Science, and reflected on Moscow 24. Golerova emphasizes that a child’s sense of security and consistent routines matter just as much as study time when approaching tests.
Adults can help establish balanced work and rest patterns that support sustained learning. The psychologist also suggests showing that parental love and pride are not tied to exam scores. It helps to communicate that exams are important but not the sole measure of a person’s value or future potential. Offering practical alternatives if a subject is challenging or a desired score isn’t reached reassures the child and shifts the focus from failure to resilience and adaptability.
“Avoid framing the exam as a catastrophe. Instead, present a future with multiple pathways and options,” the expert notes. Providing a safety net of alternative goals and plans helps the young learner feel protected and motivated. When a student sees that there are different routes to achievement, tension decreases and self-confidence grows, enabling better performance under pressure.
MONIKI, the National Medical Research Center for Neurology and Rehabilitation, is named after the institute’s long-time head of services. In a public briefing, Vladimirsky MF’s Maxim Sutormin underscored practical steps for brain training before exams, stressing that diet plays a crucial role. He recommends a wholesome diet, minimizing sugary snacks and carbonated beverages during the study period to support cognitive function, mood, and energy levels. These dietary adjustments, paired with regular sleep and short, focused study sessions, help optimize mental performance and reduce pre-exam jitters.
Some students experience heightened stress before tests, which can manifest as physical symptoms or lingering anxiety. Creating a quiet, predictable study schedule and encouraging mindful breaks can transform this period into a more manageable experience. A supportive environment—one that acknowledges effort, celebrates small wins, and avoids punitive reactions to performance—allows learners to approach exams with greater composure and clarity.
Practical steps also include setting realistic targets, breaking tasks into achievable milestones, and using clear rewards for progress. Encouraging students to discuss their study plans with family members promotes accountability while keeping expectations reasonable. In addition, parents can help by arranging regular check-ins that focus on study quality and well-being rather than only results. Such strategies help students develop independent study skills and a healthier relationship with academic stress, which translates into better learning outcomes over time.
Experts recommend that families maintain consistent routines in the weeks leading up to exams. Regular sleep, balanced meals, moderate physical activity, and time set aside for relaxation all contribute to a stable nervous system and sharper concentration. When families adopt these habits together, students feel supported rather than pressured, and they can approach each testing moment with greater calm and confidence. The result is not just improved performance but also healthier attitudes toward learning and personal growth.
Ultimately, the goal is to help the student see exams as one milestone among many on a broader journey. By validating effort, offering flexible plans, and maintaining a nurturing home environment, parents can help their children navigate exams with courage and resilience. This approach aligns with guidance from UK and North American educational psychologists who advocate for supportive parenting styles that separate self-worth from test outcomes and emphasize ongoing well-being during high-stakes periods. As research and practice show, a supportive context is a key predictor of sustained academic success and long-term emotional health. (Source: GPPC, public communications and related professional guidance)