How To Help Your Child Deal With Stress After Low Exam Scores

The CBSE results just came in and while a lot of students may have scored high marks, there may be some students who would've scored low marks. However, not scoring well in exams is just an occurrence. It doesn’t define the self-worth of a child. When children work hard and fall short of their expected outcomes, stress is inevitable. They feel overwhelmed by the pressure to explain themselves to others - even though it is absolutely unnecessary and doesn’t matter at all. In this blog, we’ll share practical ways to deal with stress after scoring low in examinations.

What are the Psychological Impacts of Scoring Low Marks during Examinations?

When children score low during crucial examinations, they suffer from emotional highs and lows; to the point of becoming intensely nervous and overwhelmed. Some of the mental wear and tear that they display in their behavior are as follows: 

 - Intense anxiety or worries about future performances

 - Feeling embarrassed when trying to explain others

 - Their self-worth and confidence levels take an immediate setback

 - Negative self talk may begin; such as “I’m not good enough, Or I’m a failure” etc

 - Fear being judged by others

 - Feels emotionally low when thinking about the struggles of the parents

 - Heightened sensitivity to the remarks of others; even if they are constructive

 - A persistent sense of hopelessness if counseling is not done

 - The child may show signs of social withdrawal; preferring to stay indoor and not meeting friends or relatives

Also read: Deepika Padukone’s Valuable Insights On Managing Exam-Related Stress And Anxiety

How Parents Can Help Their Children Cope With Low Scores?

 - As a parent, you should explain to your child that setbacks make them stronger, more empowered to begin another journey of trying with renewed vigor. 

 - Avoid scolding or shaming them in front of their classmates. This can make them feel very depressed and hits their self-esteem hard.

 - Listen to them without passing taunting remarks and judging their performance. Let them share their feelings with you and comfort them emotionally. Help your child feel less lonely by being with them always.

 - Focus their efforts more than the outcome. When you support them emotionally, they feel empowered from within. They will feel understood and accepted; and it would reduce their fear of failure profoundly.

 - Help them understand what went wrong with their preparations. You can help them find out their struggling areas in specific subjects and how they can improve in future.

 - Always model calmness and positivity in your attitude and behavior in front of your child. Remember that your reaction matters to them. If you’re upset, they will lose confidence. Instead, stay calm and encourage them to try again until the goal is achieved. 

Also read: "Unknowingly, I Created Tremendous Pressure On My Child Before Board Exams" - A Mom Confesses

In today’s competitive world, not scoring well is undeniably difficult. The pressure that mounts on young minds due to underperformance is also high. But, at the end what matters is having good mental health; so that the child can fight back hard the next time. Instead of allowing disappointments to consume them fully; it's time to make our children understand that failures are a part of the learning journey. It’s just a passing phase in life. Learning to manage this stress, helps build resilience to face newer challenges in future