Exam, revision and parenting advice
Practical, evidence-led guides from Performance Learning's exam coaches, plus Dear Dr Tej, where founder Dr Tej Samani answers parents' questions.
Why is my daughter underperforming in A Level Economics even though she’s totally capable?
Dr Tej Samani’s advice is that a capable A Level student who understands the content but scores poorly usually has an exam skills problem, not a knowl…
5 study habits to build in the new year that’ll supercharge your grades
The study habits that make the biggest difference for GCSE and A Level students are writing every deadline and plan in one planner or calendar, studyi…
My daughter works so hard for her GCSEs but exam anxiety is ruining everything
Dr Tej Samani’s advice is that exam anxiety triggers a fight-or-flight response that temporarily blocks memory retrieval, so reassurance alone rarely …
How to include GCSE revision in the Christmas holidays without overwhelming yourself
GCSE revision over the Christmas holidays should feel light and manageable, not exhausting. Aim for 30 to 60 minutes on most days rather than whole re…
What is academic burnout and how to deal with it
Academic burnout is a state of emotional, mental and physical exhaustion caused by sustained pressure to do well, not simply tiredness from homework. …
My son, 16, is scared to leave school but won’t admit it – how do I support him?
Dr Tej Samani’s advice is that a 16-year-old who avoids college or apprenticeship applications is usually afraid, not lazy. School feels safe because …
My daughter is super bright but does the bare minimum at school – how can I motivate her?
Dr Tej Samani’s advice is that a bright child who does the bare minimum is rarely lazy. Coasting still earns a pass, and low effort can protect them f…
When do schools break up for Christmas 2025? A complete guide
Most schools in England break up for around two weeks at Christmas, usually finishing a few days before Christmas Day and returning a few days after N…
My child refuses to go to school and I have no idea why – help!
Dr Tej Samani’s advice is that school refusal is almost always a sign a child feels overwhelmed by something they cannot yet put into words, such as a…
My son failed his mock exams but is refusing help – what should I do?
Dr Tej Samani’s advice is to treat mock results as feedback, not fate, and to separate the grade from the child. A defensive teenager is often protect…
Is your child refusing to go to school? Here’s what you can do
A child refusing to go to school is rarely being stubborn; their behaviour is a form of communication. Common causes are anxiety about not coping, bul…
My child is always on their phone and I worry it’s rotting their brain
Dr Tej Samani’s advice is that constant phone use is a sign of habits, not a damaged brain, and attention can be rebuilt with patience and structure. …
My teen is constantly revising but keeps failing exams – what’s going wrong?
Dr Tej Samani’s advice is that a hard-working teen who freezes in exams is usually using revision strategies that build familiarity, not recall. Re-re…
Parents, listen up – this is how we’re reforming the education system to better serve your child
Performance Learning welcomes the Curriculum and Assessment Review led by Professor Becky Francis but argues it does not go far enough. Dr Tej Samani …
My child shuts down whenever I ask about school – what can I do?
Dr Tej Samani’s advice is that a teenager who shuts down about school is usually struggling with how they feel, not what they can do. Parents should f…
The truth about cramming revision and why all-nighters never work
Cramming and all-nighters rarely work. Without sleep, the brain cannot consolidate what you studied into long-term memory, and stress hormones like co…
What to do when you feel overwhelmed by GCSE revision: step-by-step guide
If GCSE revision feels overwhelming, pause and take 10 minutes away to reset. Break big goals into small, specific tasks, study somewhere calm and dis…
What to do if you fail a mock exam: a step-by-step guide
If you fail a mock exam, don’t panic: mocks are practice designed to expose gaps while there is still time to fix them. Read the feedback, look for pa…