Talking to your teenager about exam stress

Most parents mean "I believe in you". Most teenagers hear "and you had better not disappoint me". Try naming the pressure instead of the outcome: *"This period looks heavy. What would actually help from me?"* Then let them answer without correcting the answer. Avoid comparison, even favourable comparison. Avoid predicting results. Do protect sleep, meals and one non-academic activity a week — these are the three strongest predictors of a student holding up through exam season.