How to prepare our candidates for exams
We thank God for how
far He has brought our children to this level when they are finishing their
Primary Seven, Senior four, and Senior six. The journey has not been easy, but we serve a living God who
promised not to leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5b). I, therefore,
congratulate all our candidates at their respective levels for completing their
academic journey as they look forward to joining another level.
During our time,
there was a lot of cheating. Learners used to never sleep because they were
constantly receiving papers from various schools. Students would focus on
reviewing what is coming from different schools rather than steadily revising
books. The majority would end up reading under pressure, becoming exhausted
throughout the night, getting on a roll, and being tired by the time they sat
for exams. Most of the time, what they would be given was not set out in the
papers. People would be panicking throughout the paper at this point.
The end result was a
failure of exams not because they were dull but because they put their trust in
cheating, and this would disorganize them. Others hired mercenaries to sit
exams for them after paying heavily, but they did not get the expected results.
Your child has been in class for the last four years of O-Level or two years of A-Level, but they seem to want another person
to sit for them. What wasted time and money on school fees for all these years!
Let us tell our
children that rather than thinking about cheating, they should stick to what
they have read and work hard even at the last minute. Cheating creates
unnecessary stress and anxiety. Encourage them not to dare think about waiting
for what will come from elsewhere.
Pray for your
children. Some wicked people are saying that your child will not do
these exams. They are working hard to ensure they fail them. Don’t believe
their words, and also run to the witch doctors to counterattack them. The Bible
says that there is no sorcery or divination against Israel (children of God)
(Numbers 23:23). Remember, what we occupy with our minds is what we
harvest at the end of the day. Don’t think wickedly of them. Don't be afraid;
trust God, who has seen your child through so much for him or her to be able to
do it in such a short period of exams.
I know most schools
have already had visiting days in the last two weeks. But if the school can
allow you to check on your child, please go back and encourage them and pray
with them. Give them more pocket money if you can.
Tell them to read
hard and be relaxed. Don’t also put them under pressure as a parent. What they
need now are words of encouragement, not reminders of how they have been
performing poorly, and you are sure he/she may not make it. That does not build
their confidence and esteem during this season. You would rather remain silent
instead of acting like a prophet of doom.
Request that they
create a revision schedule for each free period and exam prep time. This is the
best way to help someone get organized and plan for their time properly. Some
may have two or more free days in between exams. This is an opportunity to read
more to make up for papers they did not do well on. There is no time to relax
or play around thinking that there will always be time.
Some children like to isolate themselves and read alone during this time. Encourage them
to participate in discussions with others. Two heads are better than one, and
teamwork breeds more success than individualism.
Remind them to read
the instructions and questions clearly during the exams as many times as
possible without panicking or rushing before approaching them. When they have
some free time after an exam, they should take some
rest. This will help them to relax their mind and meditate better. They should
also avoid stress at such times as this.
Plan for your child’s
vacation. Have in mind what they should do, especially those on a long vacation
(S.6 leavers). They can learn a skill by doing more than just sitting at home.
We must raise a generation that is innovative and self-sufficient in adulthood.
They should already have goals set for that period.
I wish all our
candidate children very fruitful success in their exams!
The writer is
a child advocate, parenting coach, marriage counselor, and founder – Men of
Purpose Mentorship Programme.
#facebook/Dickson Tumuramye
#twitter @Tumudick
#email: tumudickson@gmail.com
#tel: 0772851863/0702851863
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Dickson Tumuramye is also a motivational speaker on:
#Positive parenting
#Marriage and family
#Child counseling
#Career guidance
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