The 2026 high school graduation exam has concluded, leaving students with a range of emotions. But behind the exams, the difficult questions, and the worries about scores lies the quiet journey of parents – those who, along with their children, went through this "exam season" in their own unique way.
The person who couldn't sleep the night before the exam was my mother.
As students completed the final exams of the 2026 high school graduation exam, many parents breathed a sigh of relief after days of anxious waiting. For them, this was not just their child's exam, but also an emotional time for the whole family.
Ms. Truong Thi Thanh My, parent of candidate Nguyen Thanh Thao Nhi, said this was the first time she had taken her eldest daughter to the high school graduation exam. Therefore, the exam days became a special milestone that she wanted to personally accompany her daughter to.
Ms. Truong Thi Thanh My (second from the left) and her second daughter joined in the cheering atmosphere at the exam site. According to her, the support of the volunteers helped parents and candidates feel more confident during this important exam.
"I woke up at 4 a.m. because I was nervous. Before going to the exam site, I thought it would just be my daughter and I together. But when I arrived, I felt the warmth from the volunteers. They supported both the candidates and their parents, helping everyone feel more at ease and confident," Ms. My shared.
What made her happiest wasn't the exam results, but witnessing her daughter's efforts to pursue her dream of going to university.
Ms. Truong Thi Thanh My gave her daughter encouraging hugs before the exam and welcomed her back after she finished the test.
According to Ms. My, her daughter always stayed up late and woke up early to study during the exam preparation period. Seeing that perseverance, she became even more proud of her daughter's journey of growth. "I don't place too much emphasis on which school she gets into. The most valuable thing is that she tried her best and matured after a long period of studying," she said.
The hugs, watchful eyes, and words of encouragement from parents became a special source of moral support, accompanying the candidates throughout the 2026 high school graduation exam.
The days leading up to the exam were also a time when the whole family went through the pressure together. Ms. My said that her daughter used to suffer from insomnia due to stress. To help her daughter stabilize her mental state, she decided to let her sleep with her mother.
"All I could give my child was love and peace. We hugged each other to sleep, talked, and encouraged each other. Thankfully, she slept well again. But the night before the exam, it was me who couldn't sleep," she laughed.
What parents want most is not grades.
Behind the smiles of the candidates after the exam lies the equally anxious anticipation of their parents. For Ms. Pham Thi Ngan (Di An ward), each exam session is a time filled with eager expectation.
She said that on the first day of the exam, she woke up at 4 a.m. to prepare breakfast, then took her child to the exam site at Le Quy Don High School (Xuan Hoa Ward) very early. Along the nearly 20-kilometer journey, the traffic near Binh Trieu Bridge was heavy, making her anxious about potentially affecting her child's exam time.
Ms. Pham Thi Ngan takes care of and encourages her son, Tran Duc Hau, while he reviews his knowledge before the math exam.
"My daughter and I set off at around 5 a.m. I just hoped she would arrive at the exam site on time and stay calm. The most important thing I told her was to stay calm and do the test, while I would always be there to encourage her," Ms. Ngan shared.
According to Ms. Ngan, throughout the 12th grade year, the family always tried to support and encourage their child during the revision process. Despite some anxieties before the exam, she still encouraged her child to focus on each subject instead of putting pressure on the final result.
Meanwhile, at the exam center at Le Quy Don Secondary School (Thu Duc ward), Ms. Tran Le Xuan shared the same feelings as many other parents while waiting for her child to finish the exams.
Even though the distance from home to the exam site is only about 15-20 minutes, Ms. Tran Le Xuan (far left) still proactively arranged her work schedule to pick up and accompany her child during these important days.
"I was very worried about the literature exam. When I saw my child and many other candidates coming out of the exam room with smiles on their faces, I felt somewhat relieved. Then, when my child said they did quite well on the math exam, the whole family was happy," Ms. Xuan shared.
According to many parents, the family's biggest concern during the exam preparation process is not the grades but the child's mental well-being.
Besides taking care of meals, sleep, and health, Ms. Xuan believes that the presence of parents during exam days is also a great source of encouragement for candidates. "The family always encourages me to believe in what I have learned. No matter the result, my parents will always be there to support me," she said.
Instead of putting pressure on them, families always try to help their children maintain their confidence and feel comfortable.
The 2026 high school graduation exam has officially concluded after days of intense pressure and anxiety. Behind each student are parents silently watching, waiting, and supporting them. Perhaps the greatest reward for parents is not the scores, but seeing their children mature after one of the most important milestones in their school life.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/mua-thi-cua-con-noi-long-cua-cha-me-196260612143026564.htm
