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Guest post by Lisa Jane

You’ve been working hard all day to get prepared well for your exam, and now you just want some time off. While it’s important to relax and take your mind off things, it’s also a good idea to keep your brain active, and to not give in to junk food or sitting around doing nothing. Some constructive ways to blow off steam after assiduous exam preparation consequently range from reading a book to going for a run, and can also include activities like playing indoor games, or cooking. These constructive ways to blow off steam, and more, are listed below:

Read a Book

Ideally read something that’s completely unrelated to your tireless exam preparation; doing so will allow your brain to keep on exercising. It doesn’t necessarily matter what you’re reading, as long as you get plenty of variety, and that it’s something you enjoy.

Go for a Run

This is an important activity to pursue if you’re spending a lot of time in front of the computer or your notes. As well as keeping you fit, going for a run will get you out of the house, and will relieve stress by releasing endorphins into your body. Regular running can also mean that you can concentrate more, and sleep better.

Do Yoga

Also focusing on clearing your mind while exercising, yoga can be a very effective way to destress and take you away from your diligent exam preparation. You can practice yoga with a mat and an exercise ball in your home, or can make visits to the gym or local classes.

Play Indoor Games 

Like a good book, playing indoor games will engage your brain, and will give you something else to focus on; games can be anything from puzzlers and various fun games to online multiplayer games that will allow you to be immersed in a different world.

Cook 

A great way to be productive, cooking will mean that you can devote time after your exam preparation to an activity that will keep you healthy, but will also build skills; investing in fresh fruit and vegetables, and learning how to make new recipes will give you something to look forward to at the end of a hard day of exam preparation.

Tidy

OK, a lot of people aren’t going to view tidying as a reward for a hard day’s work; however, simple chores like putting out rubbish, cleaning your room, doing a clothes wash, or washing coffee and tea mugs, will give you a task that will switch off your brain but still keep you productive. Moreover, tidying will mean that the room you revise in will be ordered enough for you not to be distracted by mess.

Go Out to the Cinema or Theatre  

Spending the afternoon or the evening at the cinema or theatre is a productive way to enjoy entertainment while still getting out of the house; it can be a good idea to meet up with other friends who are also revising, and to get dinner at the same time.

About the Author:

School is Easy is glad to feature an international educator from a special exam preparation school in London. The instructor, Lisa Jane guides the students with timely Easter exam revision so they can score good grades in the subject.

When looking for a tutor it is easy to assume that all tutors can provide the same services. If this were true then finding the cheapest tutor would be the way to go. However, this is not always the case and not all tutors are equally trained or qualified. In fact, tutors often have varying levels of education and teaching experience, thereby creating a wide range in terms of quality. If you are looking for someone who can help your child learn in an effective way with lasting results you should consider hiring a tutor who is a certified teacher.

Why should you hire a certified teacher as a tutor?

Certified teachers are familiar with the grade level requirements and the curriculum taught in schools. Your teenage neighbor might have the top Math and Science scores at their school, but they probably are not trained to teach the material in the most effective way. Certified teachers, on the other hand, are not only knowledgeable in different subject matters, but also have the necessary teaching skills to help students learn the subject and make noticeable progress.

Teachers care about your child’s success

A certified teacher views tutoring as a way to give students the extra instruction and attention they need in order to develop proper skills. Ultimately, as a result of the tutoring sessions, students should be able to continually excel in school, and not just to pass a test or get a good grade on a paper. Teachers who are tutors want their students to succeed in life and not just in school.

Certified teacher tutors create personalized lesson plans for each tutoring session

Lesson plans in the classroom have to be created for an entire class full of different students at varying levels. Rather than merely presenting information in a general way, as they would in a classroom setting, teachers who are tutors get to focus on one individual student. They have the flexibility to spend more time on areas that the student is struggling with. They can stop at any time during a tutoring session and work with the student on particular areas until they master the concept.

Certified teachers apply professional techniques during tutoring sessions

Certified teachers are able to perform professional assessments to determine the student’s level of understanding on particular subjects. Knowing where the student is at allows teachers to develop appropriate lesson plans for that student. Teachers are trained to keep detailed records of their student’s assessment scores so they can easily track their progress and ensure that they attain their goals.

Certified teachers are familiar with learning disabilities

Teachers are trained to recognize learning disabilities and can thereby adapt teaching methods and use various strategies to enable students to learn according to theirlearning styles. If a student has a limited attention span, such as someone with ADHD or other behavioral disorders, the teachers will know how to facilitate learning during tutoring sessions. Teachers have experience with behavior management so they can use certain techniques to help the student focus during tutoring sessions and can even teach the student to apply these focusing techniques at school.

Benefits of having a Certified Teacher as a tutor:

Tutors spend regular one-on-one time with a student, which is not usually possible in a classroom setting. A teacher who gets to spend personal time with the student will get to know the student’s specific strengths, needs, learning styles as well as their attention span and capacity. Being able to focus on developing specific needs during one-one-one tutoring sessions will have more effective results than being in a large classroom setting.

Hiring certified teacher tutors might be more expensive than hiring a high school or university student. However, having a tutor who is a certified teacher can make a huge difference in the quality and effectiveness of tutoring sessions. The quality of the tutor will show in the advancement and progress of the student. Furthermore, certified teachers can also offer advice to parents on activities to do with the student that will benefit their education and make tutoring sessions even more profitable.

Test anxiety is a real thing that many children experience.  Most adults can remember having feelings of anxiety related to taking tests, but it is hard to remember just exactly how daunting test days can be.  Some children pretend to be sick on test days, or they might actually feel ill due to test-induced anxiety.  Regardless of the level of anxiety your child has, tutoring can help prepare them for test taking and reduce the test related anxiety.

Ask a tutor for an exam preparation tutoring session

On the one hand, tutoring sessions can be used for additional instruction time where the tutor helps explain the material in a way that the student can understand. Tutors can also use the tutoring session to help the student practice the skills they are learning to prepare for tests at school.  When students have a clear grasp of the subject material and have adequate practice before the day of the test, their stress levels during a test will be greatly decreased.  Knowing the material will also give your child the confidence they need to perform their best on a test.

Use regular tutoring sessions to develop study skills

Your child’s tutor will help your child develop effective study skills. Here are some basic study skills that you can ask your child’s tutor to include during tutoring sessions that will help your child prepare for a test.

1. Start studying the material many days in advance. If your child has multiple tutoring sessions during the week this time can be used to study the material in advance so that your child gets the material stored away in their long-term memory so they can easily access it on test day.  If you only have one tutoring session a week your child’s tutor can help set up a study schedule for your child to follow each day leading up to the test.

2. Tutors can prepare practice tests for your child to take during the tutoring session to get used to test taking. This will help your child learn to work at a proper pace while experiencing the pressure of a time limit. This may not be enjoyable for your child, but the more they practice, the easier the actual test will seem.

3. Relaxation while studying will remind them to relax while taking the test. Ask your child’s tutor to help your child relax by doing deep breathing exercises. This relaxation technique can be used in any type of stressful situation, even into adulthood.

Tutors help develop test taking strategies

Your child’s tutor can be instrumental in preparing your child for a test.  They can give your child some tips on how to approach the test.  Here are some helpful test taking strategies tutors can utilize with a student for exam preparation:

1. Your child’s tutor can remind them to look over the test to see how many questions are on it, so they will know how to spend the proper amount of time on each section.

2. Your child’s tutor can also encourage them to read each question carefully and to follow all the directions on the test.  Going too quickly can cause your child to make careless mistakes that could be avoided.

3. Tutors can suggest skipping over a difficult question and coming back to it at the end of the test.  Dwelling on the difficult question will only increase anxiety and affect the way they take the rest of the test.

Reviewing the graded test during the next tutoring session:

Your child’s tutor can review the test with your child to show them the things that they did well, as well as the areas that need more practice.  Your child’s tutor can use the test to evaluate your child’s progress and to show your child what they need to work on more during tutoring sessions.  If the teacher has written any notes on the test it is important for your child to read these notes so they know how they did and what they can do the next time they take a test. It is important for your child to see that the purpose of taking tests is not just to receive a grade mark but it is to see what they’ve learned.

How can parents help reduce test anxiety?

Parents can help reduce test anxiety by encouraging their children to study and practice for a test, but should be careful not to put too much focus on tests. Talking about a test too much can cause your child to have more anxiety. Cook your child’s favorite meal on test day and a yummy, nutritious breakfast. Help your child get to bed on time the day before a test so they are well rested and able to function on test day.

With this type of support from parents and tutors your child can reduce their test anxiety, which will help them perform better on their tests and be able to cope with stressful situations in the future.

In order to help your child succeed, you and your child’s tutor should spend the time to identify what types of learning styles your child has. Together you can encourage them and work with them during tutoring sessions to use study methods that complement their particular learning styles.

All children are unique. Not one has the exact same personality, likes or dislikes.  When it comes to schoolwork, children maintain their differences in terms of learning styles. We often expect that all children should learn in the same way.  Traditional educational systems can make some children appear to be excellent learners, while others seem to struggle. This may not reflect your child’s abilities. Helping children recognize their particular learning styles could help them succeed in school. Your tutor can create lessons that bring out the best in your child’s abilities if they are aware of your child’s learning style.

Different Learning Styles to know for tutoring sessions:

Spatial/Visual Learning Style:

Learn best by seeing and observing. They learn well with pictures, charts, diagrams and color-coding. The visual learner may benefit from using flash cards for memorization. Spatial learners tend to be creative and artistic as well.

Audio/Musical Learning Style:

Receiving information aurally is usually the easiest way for an Audio learner. Most children with this learning style also have musical tendencies or abilities. Putting information into tunes or songs can help with memorization and learning.

Verbal/Linguistic Learning Style:

This type of learner uses words to understand the subject matter. They learn well in lecture settings, taking notes and reading subject material. They may want to talk through a problem or write it down in order to get a clear understanding of the subject.

Physical/Kinesthetic Learning Style:

Some people learn best by doing. Even if they read about it or hear about it, the understanding will click when they can go through the motions themselves. Using manipulatives and hands on activities as well as role-playing can be helpful for the more physical learners.

Logical/Mathematical Learning Style:

This type of learner likes to take information and figure out how and why. Some people refer to this learning style as Mathematical because these types of learners often excel in Math and Science. They easily understand number problems and are able to do quick mental calculations.

Social/Interpersonal Learning Style:

These types of learners enjoy social interaction. They may be willing participants in class discussions and group projects. They are able to relate to and empathize with others. Social learners may benefit from study groups rather than independent study.

Solitary/Intrapersonal Learning Style:

Some children learn best on their own. They may need to be able to focus in an environment free of noise and distractions. They may be reluctant to join class discussions even if they have relevant information or know the answer to the question.

All of these learning styles are not distinct or separate.  Many people fall into more than one category.  Some people learn a particular way pertaining to one particular subject and another way for a different subject.

Regardless of the learning styles that your child may have, there are ways to help them succeed in school. By determining what type of learner they are, you and your tutor can help them to use certain study strategies that will help them do their school work in the way that best fits their particular learning style.