Understanding what sits beneath the stress
Marsya Ruzana Aw Roy Shafiq Aw, Head of Study Skills at First Principles Education, shared why academic stress should not automatically be met with more tuition, practice papers or instructions to “study more”.
Sometimes, the stress comes from not knowing what to do, not understanding where the real problem lies, or putting in effort without seeing the results they expected.
The first step is therefore to understand the root cause, whether it lies in Personal Agency, study routines, memory techniques or another specific gap, before deciding what kind of support the child needs.
A student’s experience
Miyahara Karin, an FPE graduate who was with First Principles Education while preparing for her PSLE, shared how she managed the pressure of the examination year through more deliberate planning and recovery.
She used a countdown clock, planned her week in advance, prioritised tasks with to-do lists, made time for hobbies and study breaks, and spoke openly with her parents when the pressure became difficult.
Her experience shows that managing PSLE stress is not simply about doing more work. It also means learning how to manage time, priorities and pressure more intentionally.
Attribution
Featured in The Straits Times: PSLE stress management: Weed out root causes of anxiety for child to bloom
By Venessa Lee, published 16 August 2026.
Original reporting and editorial content belong to The Straits Times / SPH Media Limited.