Helping your teen start revising
Getting them started
Quick summary 📝
1️⃣ Helping your teen revise can feel overwhelming, but a simple plan will hopefully make it easier for both of you
2️⃣ Flashcards, practice papers, and a flexible timetable can keep them on track without the added stress
3️⃣ Just know that you don't need to have all the answers – patience and encouragement will help them feel more confident
Supporting a teen through revision can feel just as overwhelming for parents as it does for them.
You might worry about how much to be involved, how to help without adding pressure, or even whether your own school experience equips you to guide them.
If this is something you're going through, know that you aren’t alone.
Many parents feel unsure about the best way to help, especially if revision techniques have changed since you were at school.
The good news? There’s no one right way to revise – but with a simple plan and an open, supportive approach, you can make the process feel far less stressful for both of you.
Where to begin
👉 The best place to start is by finding effective revision techniques
👉 According to a luna poll, teens found flashcards to be the most helpful tool, followed by practice papers
👉 Encouraging these strategies can help focus their efforts without overcomplicating things
👉 Remind them that trial and error is okay – what works for one person may not work for another.
Create a revision plan
👉 A revision timetable can provide structure without being too rigid
👉 Focusing on one or two subjects per day helps prevent overwhelm
👉 Prioritising challenging areas first makes the most of revision time
👉 A step-by-step approach can reduce stress and keep them motivated
👉 Help them set realistic goals – small wins build confidence and momentum
Use online resources
👉 Online resources and apps were highly rated in luna polls
👉 Many are interactive and tailored to specific exam boards, making them practical and engaging
👉 If extra support is needed, luna has a guide on finding a safe tutor to help your teen get additional guidance
👉 Encourage them to use trusted sources too or exam board-specific materials
Supporting your teen through exam stress
👉 First, give yourself grace – you don’t have to have all the answers!
👉 Encourage small steps – revision is about progress, not perfection
👉 Even one topic per day can build momentum and make revision feel more achievable
👉 luna’s parent guide on exam stress offers more tips and strategies to help support your teen during this time
👉 Let them know it’s okay to take breaks – burnout won’t help them retain information
👉 Reassure them that doing their best is enough
You've heard it from luna, but what do teens think?
Teens often value parental support, but how parents help makes a big difference.
One of luna’s teen ambassadors shared their best revision advice for parents:
"The best advice I would give to parents is if their child is struggling with a specific topic, don’t try to 'fix it' by explaining it the way they were taught.
Teaching methods have changed, and this can sometimes cause confusion and frustration.
Instead, they could try looking up the topic on a reliable GCSE source like BBC Bitesize and use that to help explain it.
I also found it really helpful for my mum or dad to sit in the room with me—not to talk, but to listen while I explained a topic.
For example, if I was revising WW2, having my parent listen, ask a few questions (but not too many), helped me memorise the topic in a stress-free way.
Another amazing thing a parent can do is offer to help read revision card questions aloud to test their child’s knowledge."
Hopefully this helps get you started!
Your support can make a huge difference in how your teen approaches revision – not because you have all the answers, but because you’re in their corner.
The best way to help is to stay patient, encourage progress over perfection, and be there to listen.
With the right tools, structure, and support, revision can feel far more manageable.
Wishing your teen the best of luck with their studies!
How we created this article:
luna's team of experts comprises GPs, Dermatologists, Safeguarding Leads and Junior Doctors as well as Medical Students with specialised interests in paediatric care, mental health and gynaecology. All articles are created by experts, and reviewed by a member of luna's senior review team.
Sources:
NHS "Tips on preparing for exams" | Accessed 13.02.25
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/children-and-young-adults/help-for-teenagers-young-adults-and-students/tips-on-preparing-for-examsFind out about trends when your teen does
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