Even more stress for pupils over exams at this time of year

WITH the exam season now upon us, many young people will be feeling the pressures of exam stress as they complete their A-levels and GCSES.

The pandemic meant that most exams in the UK were cancelled during 2020 and 2021, and so pupils had their results based on their work throughout the year and their mock results. This means that 2022 marks the first year that GCSE and A levels are taking place without any cancellations.

However, new figures from Childline show that a return to pre-pandemic normality is causing a rise in anxiety levels about exams among children and young people during this current academic year.

In 2021/22 Childline practitioners delivered 1,734 counselling sessions to children and young people with concerns about exam stress and revision, which is a 62 per cent rise on the previous year.

Young people have told Childline they’re concerned that the work they missed out on, because of the pandemic, will impact on their results.

They have also shared the impact that preparation for exams is having on their mental health and ability to sleep, as well as concerns about how they will perform and the fear of letting people down.

We advise parents and carers, who want to help ease exam stress, to not place unnecessary pressure on children to gain certain grades and to perhaps help them revise by giving them the space and time to do so.

We also encourage children to take regular breaks, eat well and to exercise. Parents can also be supportive and help alleviate their children’s worries by talking to them.

As well as speaking to a parent or a teacher about any worries they may have, children can also contact Childline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and chat to one of our trained counsellors who can provide non-judgemental support and advice.

Young people can speak to a Childline counsellor anytime on 0800 1111. Alternatively, they can visit the Childline website, www.childline.org. uk, and have a 121 online chat or send an email to a counsellor. Childline also has a huge online community where children can get support from their peers on message-boards and use expert resources to help them through any issue they are concerned about.

Shirin Khan, Childline Service