Exams do not define you

As exam season is drawing to a close, it’s important to remind ourselves that for many young people this time of year is extremely anxiety inducing and can have a massive impact on self-confidence.

We should encourage our children and family members who are doing exams that as long as they do their best, that whatever the outcome, they are amazing and that these are life lessons which will help them to EXCEL in life.

Types of intelligence

According to Harvard University neuropsychologist and educator Howard Gardner in his book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, there are eight types of intelligence.

These are:

1. Logical-mathematical intelligence – puzzles, strategy and brain teasers

1. Linguistic intelligence – reading, talking, learning languages
2. Spatial Intelligence – drawing, reading maps, painting
3. Musical Intelligence – singing, playing instruments, rhythmic
4. Bodily-kinesthetic Intelligence – dancing, acting, playing sports
5. Intrapersonal Intelligence – independent, goal setter, self-aware
6. Interpersonal Intelligence – teamwork, empathetic, mediator
7. Naturalistic intelligence – caring for animals and environment

This means that every child can vary in their type of intelligence and certain exams or exams completely may not be for them.

Handling failure and persevering

Coming out of an exam, most students start to ask each other how did you answer this question or that question, and this can create a feeling of dread and make many young people feel like they’ve failed before they’ve even found out their results!

The important thing to remind the young people in our lives at this point is that no matter the outcome, this chapter in their life is just another lesson.

It is an opportunity to learn how to handle our emotions, preserve in the face of challenges and should it come to it, learn to handle failure.

A reminder to all that: Failure is just another step on the journey to success.

Life beyond exams

Exams are just one small chapter in the huge journey of life. Though they may feel big at this point in time but there will come a point where these exams have no bearing on the young people in our lives. Their portfolio of artwork, apprenticeship, people skills, or life experiences will have far more value than these exams.

It is our duty to continue to remind them of this. No matter the outcome, tell them they are loved and you are proud.