Universities around the world use the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) to choose qualified applicants for their medical, biomedical, dental, and veterinary programmes. The BMAT tests candidates’ capabilities in science, mathematics, critical thinking, problem-solving, and written communication skills, which are of utmost importance in such scientifically-driven fields.
With this, students in Singapore need a considerable amount of preparation before they take the BMAT. A lot of effort and perseverance is required for the test prep stage as candidates need to revise their content knowledge as well as finetune their critical thinking skills. However this can also take a toll on their well-being. The stress, pressure, and exhaustion associated with the BMAT prep process are well-known, and even the best of candidates will feel overwhelmed from time to time.
Generally, parents always want what is best for their children. Though there are aspects of children’s lives that require their own hard work, this does not mean that they no longer need their parents’ support. In fact, when their parents are present and encouraging, candidates feel more motivated throughout the gruelling test prep and subsequent university admissions process.
So how can you, as a parent, be a pillar of support for your child during their BMAT preparation in Singapore? Here are some tips:
1. Provide Positive Reinforcement
When your child is going through BMAT preparation with their peers, there could be moments when they feel immense pressure to meet their own expectations and even compare their progress to others. This, in turn, can cause a lot of undue stress and even affect their mental health.
To lift some of the weight off their shoulders, make sure to praise them for their efforts and emphasise what they have accomplished instead of what’s lacking. Positive reinforcement can go a long way in supporting your child’s self-esteem and confidence during the test prep process in Singapore. Even when they’re not having a hard time, be more generous with your kind words and positive feedback. This will fuel their drive in studying for success and make them more resilient when facing difficulties both now and during the upcoming university admissions process.
2. Encourage Breaks from Time to Time
There are times when candidates will neglect to take breaks, especially when they’re too focused on achieving their goals. However, constantly studying and working on BMAT preparation with little to no rest can cause fatigue and affect their ability to retain information over time. Some candidates may also stay up late (or even overnight) to study at the expense of getting sufficient sleep.
Purposeful breaks in between study sessions help their brain rest and allow their body to restore its energy. As a result, getting regular breaks actually helps candidates be more productive and maintain their ability to focus on their studies.
From time to time, check to see how your child is doing. If they look exhausted from all the tasks they did during the day, encourage them to take a break. Work with them to build a healthy routine where they can study, attend their test prep and admissions course in Singapore, and still get 8 hours of sleep for optimal rest and performance.
3. Make Sure They Eat Healthy
Nourishing their body during this highly stressful time is essential. When they get hungry during study breaks, your child might want to grab the most convenient snack to eat. Most often than not this could be junk food or sweets. Though these may seem filling as your child peruses through their notes or watches video lessons for their BMAT preparation course, they lack the right nutrients to power their brain.
To lessen the consumption of unhealthy food during their test prep and admissions period, stock up on nutritious snacks and prepare healthy meals at home. Ideas for healthy snacks include salads with leafy greens that are packed with nutrients like lutein and vitamin K to boost brain health. For meals fatty fish, like tuna and salmon, is known to boost brain and nerve cells, which is essential in cognitive development.
4. Give Them Learning Resources to Prepare
Having all the right tools and resources to prepare for their BMAT can help your child feel confident during the exams. Though there are face-to-face training courses, online test prep and admissions courses offer more accessibility and flexibility to help them structure their learning in the way that suits them best. Online training courses enable them to study anywhere and at their own pace, which creates a more convenient and effective learning experience.
If you’re looking for a reliable online test prep and admissions course for your child, Gateway+ has all the tools and resources they need to excel. Our monthly and annual undergraduate subscription plans give them access to test prep and admissions courses for medical school, law school, Ivy League Colleges, and more. Each plan includes hundreds of on-demand lessons, thousands of practice questions, full-length mock tests, weekly live Q&A sessions, and more.
Choose Gateway+ as your child’s online test prep and admissions course for BMAT preparation today.
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