Problems

Exam stress

• It is important for anyone studying for exams to try and stay as relaxed as possible and to keep their stress level to a minimum. Nobody can be perfect and all anyone can do is to do their best.

• You will find it will help to prepare a revision time-table and set out what topics, subjects you want to cover each day.

• The best way to study is usually in short periods and build into your timetable periods of relaxation, periods to eat, and time to enjoy yourself.

• Make revising easier by highlighting the most important areas which you need to study and make notes of anything you don't understand or are unsure about and discuss this with a teacher or friend. It may also be helpful every so often to meet with another student and both discuss the subject and test each other. You can also give each other moral support.

• Make sure you get a period of exercise each day, - aerobics, walking, cycling, swimming, dancing - anything to get rid of the stress in your body.

• Make sure you get fresh air each day - even a ten minute walk in the park, round the block or spending time in the garden will help.

• Some people find it motivates them to study if they set aside some study time a few hours before a favourite programme they want to watch - it helps knowing that after your study you have something you are going to enjoy.

• In your relaxation time - don't even think about work and exams - go out with friends and enjoy yourself, listen to music, do whatever you enjoy and whatever helps you to feel relaxed. That way you will feel more motivated to continue revising after your relaxation time.

• It is important to eat healthily - little and often. Make sure that you always eat breakfast otherwise you will feel listless and lack energy throughout the day and will not be in the right frame of mind to study. The better shape you are in physically the more alert you will feel and less stressed.

• If you do find it difficult to concentrate it would be better to have a break for a while and then go back to it later.

• Never go to sleep straight after revising - you need to have some relaxation before the end of the day. Maybe have a relaxing bath before going to bed and try to get to sleep at a reasonable time so you are not feeling tired the next day.

• If you establish a routine you will find it easier to revise for exams and it is far better to do some study each day than leave everything until the last minute which will only make you feel more stressed and anxious.

• Before the day of the exams check you have everything you need - pencils, pens, rulers, etc.

• On the day of your exams get up early so you can take things at your own pace - don't rush and get panicky about being late.

• Read through the whole exam paper before starting the exam as that will give you an idea of how much time you will need for each question.

• If you can't answer a question - don't panic - go onto the questions you feel more confident about and go back to the more difficult ones afterwards - you may find when you go back to the question that it is easier to answer.

• If you find yourself getting stressed and panicky, take some deep breadths and slow your breathing down and this will help you to calm down.

• After the exams don't give yourself a hard time about the questions you feel you didn't do okay on - give yourself a pat on the back for getting through the exam and for all the questions you feel you did do alright on. Then relax - go out and enjoy yourself.

• Remember at the end of the day you can only do your best. Nobody can ask for more than that!

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Agencies which can offer support and information

SupportLine
Telephone Helpline: 01708 765200
email info@supportline.org.uk

Childline:
0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk

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Useful websites

https://www.studentminds.org.uk/examstress.html
Advice on exam stress from Student Minds 

https://www.wikihow.com/wikiHowTo?search=exam+stress&Search=
Advice and information on exam stress

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/exam-stress/
Some advice from Young Minds