Exam Stress
Exams can feel like a lot of pressure. You might need certain grades for a course or job. Or your parents, carers or teachers might be putting pressure on you. You might be putting lots of pressure on yourself as well. No matter where the pressure is coming from, there are ways to help you cope.
Childline has a page dedicated to exam stress which includes videos, games and practical tips for students coping with the stress of exams.
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/school-college-and-work/school-college/exam-stress/
Young Minds
Young minds provide a full guide on coping with exam stress, please visit the website below
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/exam-stress/
'Self-care’ is a phrase you’ve probably come across, but what does it really mean? Simply put, self-care is the little things we do to look after our own mental health.
If you’re worried about exams, you may feel like you don't have time for self-care, or that you need to spend all of your time revising. While it is of course important to revise, if you don’t take the time to look after yourself by doing things like eating and sleeping well, and you don’t give yourself time to unwind by doing something you enjoy like gaming or seeing your friends, you will find it harder to revise. We are not machines – we all need a break sometimes!
So make sure that when you're thinking about how to use your time before exams, you factor in time to look after yourself. You deserve it!
More on self care:
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/self-care/
BBC Bitesize
A host of tips and ideas from their mindset team who are a group of young people who have recently been through their exams.
Managing Test Anxiety
Be prepared: Develop good study habits. Study at least a week or two before the exam, in smaller increments of time and over a few days (instead of pulling an "all-nighter"). Try to simulate exam conditions by working through a practice test, following the same time constraints.
Develop good test-taking skills: Read the directions carefully, answer questions you know first and then return to the more difficult ones. Outline essays before you begin to write.
Maintain a positive attitude: Remember that your self-worth should not be dependent on or defined by a test grade. Creating a system of rewards and reasonable expectations for studying can help to produce effective studying habits. There is no benefit to negative thinking.
Stay focused: Concentrate on the test, not other students during your exams. Try not to talk to other students about the subject material before taking an exam.
Practice relaxation techniques: If you feel stressed during the exam, take deep, slow breaths and consciously relax your muscles, one at a time. This can invigorate your body and will allow you to better focus on the exam.
Stay healthy: Get enough sleep, eat healthfully, exercise and allow for personal time. If you are exhausted (physically or emotionally) - it will be more difficult for you to handle stress and anxiety.
Talk to someone: Schools are aware of the toll exams can take on students. They have offices or programs specifically dedicated to helping you and providing additional educational support so that you can be successful