This article is from page 6 of the 2008-06-03 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
TESTING times are ahead for 1,233 Clare students sitting the Leaving Certificate and 1,304 who are facing the Junior Certificate examinations from tomorrow.
And parents are being asked to keep their own cool when it comes to helping their children.
A spokesman for the Department of Education said that expert advice is for parents to “try to stay calm to help keep their children calm, par- ticularly for parents whose child is sitting a State examination for the first time. It can often be that the parents are almost as anxious as the
students.”
Other tips for helping youngsters cope with the stressful time include ensuring they eat healthy food and get enough sleep and some fresh air.
Health experts have also warned that swotting and stress can lead to an upsurge of complaints.
Long hours spent revising can lead to insomnia as students find it diffi- cult to switch off from exam prepa- ration. Muscular and joint pain can result from excessive time spent writing or typing on a computer.
For those suffering from condi- tions such as asthma, the trying time can make it worse and they should carry inhalers at all times. Pharma-
cists say that keeping windows and doors closed midmorning and early evening can help reduce reactions in students suffering from hayfever.
The first paper in the Leaving Cer- tificate will be English, while the Applied Leaving Certificate candi- dates will begin with English and Communications. Junior Certificate students will also be sitting their English exam.
Tests for the Leaving Certificate continue until June 20 when the last paper will be applied mathematics and Junior Certificate students will down pens on June 19 when Latin and classical studies are the last ex- ams to be taken.