As exam season intensifies in Thai schools, families look for practical ways to support students under growing pressure. A recent neuroscientific perspective highlighted by a leading expert in The Times offers evidence-based strategies for caregivers to ease children’s stress during high-stakes tests, with clear relevance for Thailand’s national exams and university entrance assessments.
Thai students often face anxiety, sleep difficulties, and self-doubt during rigorous testing periods. Behavioral science suggests that supportive parenting can reduce both physiological and psychological stress responses, even when exam demands feel overwhelming.
In Thailand, exams like O-NET and GAT/PAT shape future opportunities, and many families invest in tutoring and extra programs. This elevated investment can come with an emotional toll. Data from Thailand’s Department of Mental Health shows that academic pressure is a top stressor for teenagers, underscoring the need for balanced approaches to learning and well-being.
Scientists explain that stress activates the brain’s threat system, releasing hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. While a moderate level of stress can motivate, chronic or excessive pressure can impair memory, decision-making, and immune function, ultimately hindering performance.
The discussed research highlights practical, neuroscience-informed steps for parents. Key ideas include validating children’s feelings, establishing predictable routines, promoting healthy habits, and modeling calm behavior. Listening without judgment, acknowledging worries, and reframing challenges can activate social safety mechanisms in the brain, reducing the impact of stress hormones.
A clinical psychologist from a leading Bangkok hospital emphasizes that children take emotional cues from adults. When parents show composure and empathy, it signals that challenges are solvable, shifting a child’s mindset from threat to opportunity and potentially sharpening cognitive functioning.
Structure matters. Consistent sleep schedules, regular meals, and fixed study times create stability during exam periods. Studies indicate that regular sleep supports memory consolidation, a crucial process for revision. In Thailand, where late-night study habits and cram schools are common, prioritizing rest can offer a protective advantage.
Nutrition and physical activity also influence mood and attention. Nutritious meals and regular movement promote serotonin and dopamine, which support focus and well-being. Thai health authorities note that even short outdoor breaks can meaningfully reduce tension among students.
Experts caution against rigid “tiger parenting” approaches, which can backfire by eroding self-esteem and increasing stress. Instead, a collaborative approach that sets realistic goals and recognizes effort—not just outcomes—tends to yield better emotional and academic results.
Thai culture shapes exam-season dynamics, including peer comparisons and a strong emphasis on achievement. Buddhist practices offer practical coping tools: mindfulness and non-attachment, long valued in temples, align with evidence-based methods for reducing anxiety and building resilience.
Education reformers in Thailand advocate for prioritizing emotional well-being within schools, drawing on international models that reduce high-stakes stress through holistic education and mental health integration. National conversations about well-being are guiding classrooms toward more supportive, compassionate environments.
Many Thai schools are piloting mindfulness sessions, relaxation workshops, and peer-support groups to address mental health during exams. Educational leaders emphasize normalizing conversations about stress and building supportive networks among students and educators.
For families navigating exam seasons, neuroscientific insights provide a practical framework: communicate openly, model balanced routines, and emphasize self-care. Schools, in turn, should strengthen mental health resources within the learning environment.
Practical steps for immediate use:
- Start conversations by asking how they feel about exams and listen attentively.
- Offer unconditional support, regardless of scores, and celebrate effort.
- Prioritize sleep, regular meals, physical activity, and time for fun and rest.
These measures, grounded in science and anchored in Thai cultural context, can ease stress and foster resilience, emotional intelligence, and self-management—skills that benefit students now and in future challenges.