We all remember getting big exam results.

The Junior Cert felt like the be-all and end-all because it was our first set of state exams while our Leaving Cert felt the same because it was our last.

It can be a very stressful time for your teen and it can be difficult to find the balance between pushing them to do their best and not putting too much pressure on them.

Here are some tips for helping your child when they receive big
exam results.

Focus on the positives

If they didn’t do as well as they’d hoped, make sure you
remind them what they did well in. Don’t let them beat themselves up for a low
grade in a specific subject – gently tell them that all they can do is their
best and that they have so many wonderful talents.

If this was a particularly difficult year for your teen in their personal lives, congratulate them for getting through their exams while going through a lot. Remind them that the most important thing is that they did their best no matter what.

Do they need support?

If your child received a particularly low grade in a subject, don’t go straight to berating them or telling them they should work harder – they may need some help. Ask your child how they would feel about getting grinds during their Leaving Cert years and speak to their teacher about how you may be able to help them.

Do something to celebrate

Even if they didn’t get the results they’d hope for, you should still take the time to celebrate. Whether it’s a dinner out in a nice restaurant or a trip to the cinema, your teen (and you!) got through a tough year of exams and you both deserve to celebrate. Rewarding their hard work will only encourage them to work harder in the future.