Child Development Specialist Dr. Demet Gülaldı, who offered important advice to students and parents ahead of the High School Entrance System (LGS) to be held on Saturday, June 13, stated that families should support their children instead of putting pressure on them.
Stating that "Success is not measured solely by the score achieved; it is also measured by the effort shown, determination, and experiences gained during the learning process," Dr. Demet Gülaldı warned students, "Don't forget to prepare the necessary documents for the exam day in advance."
Asst. Prof. Demet Gülaldı from Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, Child Development Department, offered important warnings and recommendations to students and parents ahead of the High School Entrance System (LGS) to be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Stating that the exam, which more than 1 million 8th-grade students will take this year, is an important step in students' educational lives, Dr. Demet Gülaldı said, "The LGS to be held this weekend is a significant turning point for students and their families. After a long preparation period, students will take a critical exam where they will demonstrate their academic knowledge. While LGS is an important step in students' educational journey, it is not the only factor that determines their entire lives. Therefore, it is important for both students and families to approach the process with a balanced perspective, seeing the exam not as an end, but as a natural stage of educational life."
Exam success cannot be explained solely by academic proficiency
Noting that exam success should not be associated solely with the level of academic knowledge, Dr. Demet Gülaldı stated, "We see that exam success is closely related not only to academic proficiency but also to psychological preparation and family support. Experiencing excitement, anxiety, and stress before the exam are expected and naturally accepted emotional reactions for students. A certain level of anxiety can positively affect the student's performance by increasing their attention. However, excessive anxiety can lead to distraction, forgetfulness, and decreased performance. Therefore, in the last week, it is important to review existing information, maintain a regular sleep schedule, and continue daily life routines, rather than intensive topic repetitions. Especially trying to learn new subjects a few days before the exam can increase students' anxiety levels."
Family support strengthens psychological resilience
Emphasizing that the approach of families during the exam process is of great importance, Dr. Gülaldı continued:
"Family support will strengthen students' psychological resilience during these stressful exam periods. It is of great importance for families to develop realistic expectations for their children during this process and not to associate success solely with the exam result. Constantly creating pressure for success, comparing them to other students, or presenting the exam as the sole determinant of life can increase anxiety in students. The message parents give to their children during this period is important; expressions such as 'Doing your best is enough for us,' 'We love you regardless of the exam result,' 'This exam does not determine your entire life,' and 'The effort and endeavor you show are valuable to us' will help reduce exam anxiety."
Recommendations for students
Offering recommendations for students preparing for LGS, Dr. Gülaldı concluded, "Plan your sleep hours regularly for at least 8 hours. Pay attention to healthy and balanced nutrition. Limit your social media and screen use. Allocate time for light daily physical activities. Don't forget to prepare the necessary documents for the exam day in advance. Especially, resting and relaxing mentally rather than solving intense practice tests the day before the exam will be more beneficial. It should be remembered that success is not measured solely by the score achieved; it is also measured by the effort shown, determination, and experiences gained during the learning process."
