As the intensity of exam season ramps up in Thailand’s schools, families across the country find themselves searching for ways to support students under mounting pressure. Recent neuroscientific research, as discussed in a widely circulated article by a prominent neuroscientist in The Times, provides fresh insights into how caregivers can help children handle academic stress, with implications that resonate powerfully for Thai households navigating national exams and university entrance tests source.
Amid the challenge of stiff academic competition—a hallmark of the Thai education system—many students face anxiety, sleep difficulties, and self-doubt surrounding high-stakes examinations. According to the neuroscientist’s analysis, effective support from parents and guardians can meaningfully reduce children’s physiological and psychological stress responses, even when exam demands seem overwhelming.
Exams and academic performance carry immense significance in Thailand, shaping future opportunities through key gateways such as the O-NET and GAT/PAT university entrance tests. As Thai families invest heavily in tutoring and supplementary academic programs, concerns regarding the emotional toll on students have become increasingly prominent. Research from the Department of Mental Health has highlighted that Thai teenagers identify academic pressure as a top contributor to stress, which can spiral into mental health struggles if left unchecked source.
Neuroscientific research explains that under stress, the brain’s threat response system activates—flooding the body with hormones like cortisol and adrenaline source. While some stress can spur motivation, chronic or excessive pressure impairs memory, decision-making, and even immune functioning, ultimately undermining children’s ability to perform at their best.
The Times piece spotlights evidence-based strategies rooted in neuroscience that parents can employ to buffer their children against the negative effects of exam stress. Key recommendations include validating emotions, establishing routines, encouraging healthy habits, and modelling calm behavior. Listening to children’s concerns without judgment, acknowledging their worries, and helping them reframe challenges can activate the brain’s “social safety” systems, which research shows reduces the harmful impact of stress hormones source.
A clinical psychologist specializing in adolescent mental health from Mahidol University notes, “Children take emotional cues from adults, so when parents display composure and empathy, it sends the message that challenges are surmountable. This shifts the child’s mindset from threat to opportunity, which research shows sharpens cognitive functioning and reduces anxiety.”
Routine plays a powerful role, neuroscientific studies reveal. Consistent sleep schedules, mealtimes, and designated study periods provide structure that counters the unpredictability of exam periods source. Encouraging children to maintain regular sleep improves their ability to consolidate new memories—a crucial function during revision. In Thailand, where late-night studying and “cram schools” are common, promoting healthy sleep and rest can offer a protective edge.
Diet and exercise also factor in, according to brain research. Providing nutritious, balanced meals and encouraging physical activity produce neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood and attention. Thai educators from the Ministry of Public Health highlight that even short outdoor breaks can markedly decrease students’ tension source.
While some parents may believe that extra pressure leads to better outcomes, experts caution against “tiger parenting” approaches which are popular in parts of Asia, including Thailand. Studies indicate that excessively high expectations and criticism can erode self-esteem and heighten exam-related stress source. Instead, a collaborative approach that sets realistic goals and acknowledges effort, rather than outcomes alone, is recommended.
Cultural factors play a distinct role in how Thai families approach exam season. Community respect for academic achievers and social comparisons among peers can intensify pressure. Buddhist teachings offer useful coping strategies: the principles of mindfulness and non-attachment, long taught in temples, coincide with evidence-based methods for regulating anxiety and promoting resilience source.
Looking ahead, education reformers in Thailand are calling for a greater focus on emotional wellbeing in classrooms, pointing to countries like Finland and Japan that have successfully reduced high-stakes exam stress through holistic education models source and by integrating mental health education into curricula.
Many Thai schools have begun piloting relaxation workshops, mindfulness meditation, and peer support groups to address the mental health impact of exams. Educational consultants from Chulalongkorn University argue that normalizing stress conversations and building supportive networks among students and teachers can help demystify exam fears and promote a culture of compassion over competition.
For Thai families navigating the rigours of exam season, adopting neuroscientific, evidence-based practices can ease children’s burden and foster lifelong skills in resilience, emotional intelligence, and self-management. Parents and guardians are encouraged to prioritize open communication, model balanced routines, and emphasize self-care, while schools are urged to advance mental health support within the academic environment.
As the pressure mounts this year, families can take actionable steps—start by asking children how they feel, offer unconditional support regardless of exam scores, and ensure there is always time for fun, exercise, and restful sleep. Such simple measures, grounded in neuroscience, promise not only improved academic performance but also healthier, happier young people ready for future challenges.