Supporting Executive Function During Exam Season
For many students, exam season isn’t just academically demanding — it’s cognitively and emotionally draining. And often, the challenge isn’t what to study, but how to manage the process of studying: organising revision notes, starting tasks without spiralling into avoidance, staying focused, remembering what’s been learned, and staying calm under pressure.
All of these are functions of executive function — the set of cognitive skills responsible for planning, time management, working memory, emotional regulation, and task initiation. And when executive function is under strain, revision can quickly become overwhelming.
At Manor Tutoring, we believe that effective exam preparation begins with supporting the brain’s ability to manage itself — not just filling it with facts.
What Executive Function Looks Like During Revision
Students with strong executive function skills might:
Create a revision timetable they actually stick to
Break big tasks into smaller steps
Know when to switch focus or take a break
Ask for help when they hit a roadblock
But for many students — particularly those who are neurodivergent, anxious, or simply under pressure — these skills don’t come automatically. They may:
Leave everything to the last minute, not out of laziness, but because they don’t know where to begin
Spend hours "revising" without retaining much
Struggle to prioritise between subjects
Feel paralysed by perfectionism or fear of failure
These aren't character flaws — they’re executive function challenges. And the good news is, they can be supported.
How Parents Can Help
As a parent, your instinct may be to step in and take control — creating colour-coded timetables or sitting beside your child while they revise. While well-intentioned, this can sometimes create dependency or friction.
Instead, consider how to scaffold your child’s executive function skills. That means:
Helping them set realistic goals (e.g., “Revise one topic from biology today” rather than “Revise all of science”)
Encouraging short, focused bursts of work with regular breaks
Using tools like visual timers or checklists to build autonomy
Checking in not just on progress, but on process — “What’s helping you stay focused today?”
The Role of an Academic Coach in Supporting Executive Function
A skilled coach does more than just teach content — they guide students through the process of learning.
At Manor Tutoring, our academic coaches are trained to:
Teach planning and time management strategies tailored to each student
Model how to tackle complex tasks step by step
Provide structure and accountability without pressure
Build metacognitive awareness — helping students understand how they learn best
We work with students across a range of ages and needs, including those with ADHD, dyslexia, or anxiety, and our support goes beyond academic outcomes. We help students build confidence, independence, and the skills they’ll carry into university and beyond.
Final Thoughts
Executive function challenges are one of the biggest barriers to effective revision — but with the right support, they’re also one of the most addressable.
If your child is finding revision hard to manage, struggling to stay focused, or feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of exams, you’re not alone — and support is available.
Manor Tutoring offers one-to-one academic coaching designed to strengthen executive function and make revision more effective, less stressful, and far more manageable.
Get in touch today to find out how we can support your child through exam season — and beyond.
