Blogs and Interviews

Supporting Your Daughter Through Exam Season

30th April 2025

On Wednesday 29 April, Miss Ralph (Head of Pastoral Care) and Mrs Wintle (Assistant Head Pastoral) lead a Prayers entitled ‘We believe in…you’. As exams are approaching, or indeed have already arrived for our IB girls, they reminded your daughters that success isn’t just about revision - it’s about balance. Sleep, nutrition, movement, and meaningful downtime are just as critical as study sessions. They encouraged them to care for their bodies, spend time with friends, and recognise their own resilience. Most of all, they reminded them: we believe in them - and we know you do too. Read more below.

Miss Ralph

Head of Pastoral Care

Mrs Wintle

Assistant Head Pastoral

As the sunshine finally appears, it brings with it the realisation that exam season is just around the corner. Whether your daughter is preparing for public exams or end-of-year assessments, this time of year can feel intense. At College, we’ve taken time to remind the girls not only of how capable they are, but also of the importance of looking after themselves during this period.

In Prayers this week, we encouraged the girls to reflect on the hard work they’ve already put in: in lessons, through prep and by attending academic support sessions. While it is normal to have had ups and downs along the way, if they reflect on their time this year, they will see that they have all put in a great deal of effort to lay a strong foundation.

While academic focus is key, success in exams isn’t just about how many hours they study - it’s also about how well they care for their minds and bodies. We reminded them of an obvious but crucial fact: your body takes your brain to the exam. That means that looking after your body is key: prioritising sleep, eating well, staying active, and making time for fun.

Sleep is essential for memory consolidation and critical thinking, and small habits—like getting morning sunlight, avoiding caffeine late in the day, and creating a calm bedtime routine—can make a big difference. Similarly, what they eat affects how they feel and think. A balanced diet helps fuel the brain and stabilise mood. We also highlighted the powerful effects of exercise, not just for physical health but for brain development, memory, and emotional wellbeing.

Just as important is staying connected. Taking short breaks to laugh with friends, chat, or do something creative helps reduce stress and keeps things in perspective. Far from being distractions, these are part of a healthy and effective approach to revision. Girls may feel better if they ‘schedule’ their fun; that way they can see it as a vital part of their preparation.

In our years of experience, we’ve consistently seen that girls who do best aren’t those who work nonstop, but those who find balance - who study hard, take care of themselves, and allow space for rest and joy.

So as exam time approaches, please help us reinforce this message in your conversations with your daughters. Encourage healthy routines, gentle structure, and above all, remind them of what we’ve told them here: they are capable, they are prepared, and we believe in them.

Miss Ralph, Head of Pastoral Care & Mrs Wintle, Assistant Head Pastoral

Pastoral and wellbeing care is a top priority at CLC. Watch the reel below to hear more about how important this is to achieving academic success.