How parents can transform matric exam stress into success for their teens

With prelims underway and final Matric exams approaching, many Grade 12 learners feel the pressure building. For them, these exams are more than just another test; they mark the start of life after high school.

The stress is real, and for many teens, it’s not only about grades but also about worries of letting their families down or not securing their future.

That’s where parents come in. “Parental support during exam season can make all the difference,” says Refilwe Maakamedi, assistant principal: social services and counsellor at SPARK Schools. “It’s less about perfection and more about presence. When parents walk alongside their children with empathy and perspective, the pressure feels lighter.”

So, how can parents step in without stepping on toes? Here are underrated, research-backed hacks to help scholars not only survive exam season but also prepare for the life waiting after high school.

1. Focus on strengths, not scores

Every child has unique talents, but many carry the weight of parental expectations. According to Maakamedi, "Scholars often feel they're living for their parents' approval, which adds unnecessary stress.”

Tools like aptitude testing and career mapping can help learners align their next steps with their interests, reducing the risk of burnout or dropouts later. This is crucial, especially as the World Health Organisation reports suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15 to 19-year-olds worldwide.

Parent hack: Celebrate your child’s effort and unique abilities. Reassure them that they’re valued for more than just results.

2. Be a partner, not a policeman

Hovering and constant checking in can backfire. Instead, Maakamedi advises parents to be accountability partners. “It’s about balance, help them stick to their schedule without turning into law enforcement.”

Research shows that consistent family support boosts academic performance and lowers exam stress

Parent hack: Work out a shared study timetable. Encourage accountability by modelling good habits yourself, whether it’s sticking to routines, limiting phone use, or managing your own deadlines.

3. Build a supportive home base

Exams amplify household tension. If there are family conflicts, unresolved strife, or constant shouting, your teen feels it tenfold. Maakamedi suggests: “Put major conflicts on pause for just a few weeks. That small sacrifice could change how your child performs in matric.”

On a practical level, lighting household chores can give learners more time and focus.

Parent hack: Show your child you respect their effort by adjusting household responsibilities temporarily.

4. Respect different study styles

Not every learner thrives on silence and textbooks. Some need music, others use colourful pens and diagrams, while a few prefer group discussions. Research on learning styles (Education Research International, 2020) shows students perform better when supported in their chosen study method.

Parent hack: Don’t dismiss unconventional study habits. Ask what works for them, and create space that supports that style.

5. Manage your own stress

Children mirror their parents’ emotions. Stress at home can magnify their own anxiety. “Parents need to check in, offer support, and then step back,” Maakamedi says.

6. Keep perspective on results

The hardest part of exams isn’t always writing them, it’s the waiting. Disappointment is real, but how parents respond matters most. “Life doesn’t always go according to plan,” says Maakamedi. “Parents must model how to reframe setbacks as redirections, not failures.”

If results fall short, focus on lessons learned and alternative opportunities. Resilience is the skill that carries beyond Matric.

7. Prioritise healthy lifestyle habits

Sleep, movement, and nutrition matter more than cramming until 2 a.m. Studies show that teenagers who sleep at least 8 hours perform better in memory-based tasks, according to the National Sleep Foundation. A healthy diet and short bursts of exercise also boost concentration.

Parent hack: Encourage your teen to take breaks, sleep properly, and snack on energy-sustaining foods like fruit, nuts, or yoghurt instead of energy drinks and chips.

8. Talk about life beyond exams

Exams feel like the end of the world, but they’re just the beginning. Preparing learners for what comes after gap years, vocational studies, universities, or careers helps them see the bigger picture.

Sit down and explore future options together. Sometimes, simply reminding your teen that life has multiple paths relieves the weight of “this exam decides everything.

Support looks like listening without judgment, making space for focus, respecting individuality, and reminding your child that their worth extends far beyond results.

Because when the highlighters dry and the final paper is written, what learners will remember most is not the stress of exams but the steady love and encouragement that carried them through.