Exam Stress

Stress during exam periods is normal and is not always a bad thing. Stress can motivate us to perform under challenging situations and helps us to complete tasks. Some people thrive under stressful circumstances whilst others can find it anxiety provoking and distressing.

How you combat stress will change your experience of how you deal with it. This is because stress affects your emotions, thoughts and behaviours. So a positive mindset can lead to a more rewarding outcome.

If  you feel that the stress is starting to affect you negatively at school and at home, you may need to look at ways to alleviate and manage this in a healthy and helpful way.

Remember that you have the support of teachers and the wellbeing staff at school who are here to support you!

Below are some helpful tips and links to resources.

Ways to Combat Stress

• • Try to think positively with helpful thoughts.  A positive, “can do” attitude can change the way you deal with the situation

  • Don’t compare yourself to your others, e.g. your peers - “stay in your lane”

  • Talk about your worries whether this is with your parents, a trusted friend, teachers or school counsellors

  • Don’t isolate yourself and connect with peers and teachers

  • Set aside worry time outside of lessons and exams e.g. 10 minutes  worry time in the morning

  • Take breaks and make sure you get enough sleep

  • Keep your study space clean and tidy     

  • Be aware of avoidance- you may feel better in the short term but this can affect you in the long term. Speak to your teachers or counsellors for strategies to manage avoidance    

  • Regular exercise and a healthy diet

  • With home learning, it is important to stick to a regular routine  

  • Create a studying environment which is distraction free

  • Be kind to yourself  

  • Reward yourself to something nice after completing goals 

  • Take breaks to stretch and rest your eyes from reading/ writing

  • Understand what situations you can or can't control

  • Think about how you have managed stress during exams in the past and what was helpful

  • Maintain a sense of humour and perspective

  • Practice mindfulness and visualization