Wellbeing and Support

Why It Matters

Looking after your mental health is just as crucial as preparing academically. Students perform better in exams when they feel emotionally supported, confident, and understood—academic success and well-being go hand in hand.

1. Stick to a Healthy Routine

Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
Aim for 8 hours of sleep — memory and focus improve massively when you’re well-rested.
Eat balanced meals and drink plenty of water (don’t rely just on energy drinks or snacks!).

2. Take Regular Breaks

Study in short bursts — for example, 25 minutes of focused revision followed by a 5-minute break to rest and reset.
Get up, stretch, or walk around — movement helps reduce stress and improves concentration.

3. Practice Mindfulness or Relaxation

Try simple breathing techniques before starting revision or exams.
Apps like Headspace or Calm have short guided meditations.
Even 2–3 minutes of slow breathing can help calm nerves.

Try this short Meditation to reset and refocus

Check out this video on the importance of positive self talk

4. Stay Active

Exercise is one of the best stress relievers — go for a walk, play football, dance, or cycle.
It doesn’t need to be long; even 15 minutes can lift your mood.

5. Stay Connected

Talk to friends, family, or teachers if you feel stressed — don’t bottle it up.
Plan some fun time with friends as a reward after study sessions.

6. Have a Positive Study Space

Revise somewhere tidy, well-lit, and free from distractions.
Use your phone as a reward (after study), not a temptation during it.

7. Be Kind to Yourself

Celebrate small wins — finishing a paper, learning a topic, or sticking to your plan.
Avoid comparing yourself too much to others; everyone studies differently.

Keep Your Mental Health Strong with NHS’s 5 Tip Framework

Connect – Keep close to friends and family for support.
Move More – Physical activity boosts mood and energy.
Learn New Things – Small new goals build confidence and purpose.
Give to Others – Acts of kindness help boost your own emotional well-being.
Be Present – Simple mindfulness or noticing your surroundings in the moment can reduce anxiety

NHS - 5 steps to mental wellbeing

How to help at home

To further support your child's success during this period, I would like to share with you the 5 stage revision strategy that we have shared with the students to best prepare them for their exams:

Make a revision checklist: Help your child list everything they need to study.
Create a revision timetable: Use the school's calendar to plan what to study each week.
Revise effectively: Flashcards should be used for active self-testing, not just reading.
Identity gaps: Self-testing and practice exams will show where they need more work.
Fill in the gaps: After practice questions, use notes to learn what they missed, then test themselves again later.

Here is a useful guide for the most effective way for students to revise: How to study effectively. We also recommend that students use online flashcard creators such as Brainscape to ensure they maximise their use of self-testing.

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