EXAM STRESS IS MAKING ME UNWELL

Dear Coleen

I am 17 and currently sitting my A-levels. I have never felt as much stress and pressure in my entire life. I stay up all night worrying and crying over each and every exam.

The exams are really starting to affect my mental health and are even altering my character as I get angry so easily these days and I cry over almost everything.

I would prefer not to have to sit exams at all, however I don’t want to disappoint my parents.

Any idea on what should I do?

Coleen says Very few of us like sitting exams and all of us feel the pressure, but some deal with it better than others. If your main source of stress is not wanting to disappoint your parents, then this will make you feel better – they love you unconditionally and whatever grades you get you won’t be letting them down, so it’s simply not worth this much worry.

Give yourself a break and explain to your parents that you’re not sleeping and the stress is making you unwell. Tell them your main worry is letting them down and I bet the first thing they say is “You won’t let us down”.

No parent wants to see their child going through this much stress, and hopefully they’ll be able to reassure you that they’re proud of you, full stop.

My daughter had a panic over her chemistry GCSE and after a good chat she went into the exam a lot more calmly.

Yes, exams can be stressful, but all you can do is your best on the day. It’s not the end of the world if you don’t get top marks.