Adolescent psychiatrist Toula Tsovolos said it was common for parents to take on the stress of their children and this could cause more harm than good to their academic outcomes.

"It's not just children going through the HSC, their parents are going through it with them,'' Dr Tsovolos said. "But they don't know how to help their kids, how much to push them or how involved to get.''

Dr Tsovolos recently held separate workshops for children and their parents at Kogarah Library to teach them how to work towards a common goal - without losing their relationship or their minds.

Marlene Lane, who attended the parent workshop, said she hoped it would help her better support her son with study preparation.

"I think I've just been nagging him,'' she said.

Toula's Tips

*Motivate children to do well but ensure they don't think the HSC is the be-all and end-all of their future

*Focus on helping them manage anxiety; it can prove detrimental to even the brightest students

*Ensure children get sufficient rest, exercise and nutrition. Health is often ignored by students stressed about achieving high marks

Have you had to manage HSC stress as a parent? How did you deal with it? Or students, how could your parents have dealt with it better?