5 Ways To Help Your Teen Through Exam Season
"In the long-run, your willpower will never beat your environment. The more disciplined your environment is, the less disciplined you need to be."
-James Clear, Atomic Habits
Exams are approaching. You want to help without making things worse. Should you ask about revision? Stay out of it? Offer to quiz her? This episode explores five evidence-based strategies that genuinely help—and the one foundation many parents miss: nervous system regulation.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL DISCOVER:
The four distinct revision styles—and why the same advice creates completely different responses
Why asking instead of assuming reduces anxiety and improves performance
How to create psychological safety zones that actually help (not hurt) exam performance
What co-regulation is and why your calm matters more than any motivational speech
Why environment beats willpower—and the simple shifts that make the biggest difference
Seven sophrology practices designed specifically for exam pressure
How regulation comes first—before any strategy can actually work
KEY INSIGHTS:
"When her nervous system is dysregulated, none of the strategies work. That's why regulation comes first."
"When you ask instead of assume, you signal: I trust you to know what you need."
"James Clear: 'In the long-run, your willpower will never beat your environment.'"
RESEARCH & STUDIES REFERENCED:
Carol Dweck - Autonomy and achievement
James Clear - Atomic Habits
THE FIVE WAYS TO HELP YOUR TEEN THROUGH EXAMS:
Know Her Revision Style - Ambitious Achiever, Disconnected Dreamer, Late Starter Sprinter, or Anxious Avoider
Ask Instead of Assume - "What would be helpful?" vs telling her what to do
Create Psychological Safety Zones - Co-create exam-free times and spaces together
Recognise Overwhelm Early - Watch for changes from her baseline, then co-regulate
Optimise Environment - Separate work/rest spaces, active revision, sleep, technology boundaries
THE EXAM REGULATION TOOLKIT
7 guided Sophrology practices for exam moments:
Deep Calm • Quick Focus • Learn & Retain • Release Tension • Confidence Reset • See Exam Success • Sleep Well
CONNECT WITH KATE
Email: Questions or topics to cover? hello@kateboydwilliams.com
Share: If this resonated, share with another parent. You can use the link on the player above.
Important: This podcast is for educational purposes only, not medical advice. If your daughter is experiencing severe anxiety, please consult qualified healthcare professionals.
