Research by Samaritans shows that the pressure to achieve high marks is one of the biggest worries for nearly a third (30%) of young people aged 18-24. Exams can bring a whirlwind of emotions from panic and fear of failure to anxiety about the future, and students need to know they are not alone.
They may require a wealth of assistance but may not always feel they can approach members of staff at school. It’s therefore important that they know all school staff are there if needed. The personal experience of education staff can be of great encouragement and comfort to those who are struggling.
Image – Exam Stress
If you are worried about any of your students or they come to you for advice then youth mental health expert, Dr Mike Shooter has some useful points to remember: helping your students to prepare well in advance is key. Plan a session where you work through a revision plan together, making sure it is broken into manageable chunks; and encourage them to keep things in perspective. While we should remember the importance of exams, failure is not the end of the world and they are not their only chances at success in life.
Teachers and other education staff who want to join in a discussion on how they can support their students, can log onto a live webTV show where Dr Mike Shooter and student Edel Buggy (who did her A-levels last year) will be offering their advice and support.
Join them live online at www.studiotalk.tv on Thursday 27th May at 7pm to discuss exam stress.
