Parents' 'two faces' of emotions when their children take graduation exams

Before and during the days of their children's high school graduation exams, parents are both anxious and stressed, but at the same time, they still put on a happy face and pretend that 'they are fine' so that their children can confidently enter the exam and achieve good results.

Today (June 26), candidates officially entered the 2025 high school graduation exam. This is a very special high school graduation exam, when for the first time candidates took the exam with the 2018 GeneralEducation Program, while there were still candidates taking the exam with the 2006 General Education Program. In addition, this year there are also many new points in the admission methods and subject combinations for admission of some universities.

Parents always keep worries in their hearts, hoping for the best for their children.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

Mr. Nguyen Trung Thanh (character's name has been changed), residing in Ward 5, District 8 (HCMC), said that the whole family has been anxious for the past year, and even more anxious a few months before his son's exam. Now, he and his wife are nervous, but still keep it inside. "The day of the exam has come, the preparation for the child has been methodical, like a predetermined roadmap. The child is still studying hard. As parents, we encourage and remind them of the study time allocation plan, do not put pressure on the child, and ask if the child has any difficulties that need support from the parents. Another important thing is that no matter how worried we are, we still keep it to ourselves, and create a happy atmosphere outside. When the child is off, the parents invite the child out for a snack, and include additional instructions for the child during this exam," the father confided.

Having just returned from a business trip to Hungary exactly one week before her daughter's high school graduation exam, Ms. LDT, residing in Hanoi , said that she was at the peak of mixed emotions. Among them, the three words that were always present in her mind were "very worried".

"I worry about my child's mental health. I worry about how many things will change this year, whether he will study properly and do well on the test. Deep down, I hope he will get into the school he loves so that he can fulfill his dream, but I still worry that he will put a lot of pressure on himself when he sees his friends from this school, that class, SAT and IELTS certificates, etc. Every time he goes out, I worry about his transportation. On the day he goes to the exam, I worry about what he will eat during puberty, what time he should be on time for the exam, whether the paperwork will go smoothly, what is missing or not...", Ms. LDT confided.

Today, candidates officially enter the 2025 high school graduation exam.

Photo: Dao Ngoc Thach

For the past week, Ms. LDT has been telling her daughter to go to bed early and wake up early so that her body can adapt to the time zone, her mind can be clear, and she can do the test effectively. Even though her daughter told her mother that she could take the test by herself, she still asked for a few days off to accompany her daughter on the entire journey. The couple also went to the test site to check how far it was from home, how many hours they needed to leave, where they should have lunch at noon, where they should take a cool nap so that their daughter can avoid the hot sun in the afternoon...

Despite all the worries, Ms. T. said that in her house these days, her parents and both husband and wife always keep the atmosphere comfortable and happy. Adults try to hide their stress, ignore their anxious feelings, so that their children can see that their parents are as normal as possible. All of this is to hope that their children will be calm and confident to pass the exam as well as possible.

If the child worries one, the parents worry ten.

This year, my second son is in grade 12. These days, I am really worried. This is the first year that the high school graduation exam is organized according to the 2018 General Education Program. That is why my son is very worried. The closer the exam date is, the more stressed my son is about studying. Many nights he stays up very late to study. Seeing him like that, I feel uneasy. On the outside, I appear calm and encourage him, but inside I feel like I am on fire.

My schoolmate shares the same sentiment. She said that these days, she and her husband are also "losing sleep and appetite" because of their child's high school graduation exam. Many nights, she waits until late at night before going to bed. Well, for the sake of their child's future, they will try to accompany him on this journey.

This is the common feeling of all parents when their children take the high school graduation exam. Everyone is nervous and worried when their children take a big exam. If the children worry one thing, the parents worry ten times more. We know that studying and taking exams are the children's business, everything is still up to the children to decide... However, we - parents - are still nervous and worried before our children's big exams and hope that they will pass the exam successfully.

Loat Tran ( Tay Ninh )

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hai-khuon-mat-cam-xuc-cua-cha-me-khi-con-thi-tot-nghiep-185250625230605655.htm