Seeking Support - Dealing with Exam Stress
What is exam stress?
Exams can come with a lot of pressure. And it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by them. Lots of us know what it feels like to be stressed. But there’s no one way to describe what stress is.
Stress might feel different for you than it does for someone else. How we experience stress can feel different at different times. It can also depend on what's causing it. Feeling stressed, worried or under pressure around exams can be difficult to manage. But there are things that can help – it's about finding what's right for you.
What causes exam stress?
Exam stress can be more than feeling nervous on the day of an exam. It can also be how you feel leading up to exams, during exams and when waiting for results. Other things might make us feel worse too.
These might include:
- Not feeling ready or prepared for exams, like feeling behind with revision.
- Worrying about how you'll do in exams, especially when you don't know what will be in them.
- Worrying about sitting exams in different situations, like in a new place or under timed conditions.
- Putting pressure on yourself to get certain grades.
- Comparing yourself to others, like believing you have to get the same results as your friends or partner.
- Worrying about the future, like getting into university or getting a job.
A good way to deal with worries and stress during the exam period is to have a clear routine the night before and on the day of an exam.
If you are worried about stress or if preparing for exams has made you feel unusual or concerned, do not wait… discuss this with someone at school or explore support online.
In school help and support:
- Your tutor
- Your Standards Leader
- Your Behaviour Support Leader
- A member of the Wellbeing Team
Out of school support:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z8dw239
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/exam-stress/