Dealing with Exam Anxiety

Exams are a time when students of all ages feel more stressed than usual. Stress can also be a positive thing as it aids motivation and concentration. However, too much stress can make a young person feel overwhelmed, confused, exhausted and edgy and consequently produce a negative impact on study results.

Exam anxiety is a natural reaction to too much pressure and can come from a number of sources including: young people themselves; comparisons with others; wanting to reach too ambitious goals; family members; peers or teachers.

Symptoms of Exam Anxiety

Signs your child may be experiencing exam anxiety include:

• Being cranky and irritable;
• Sleeping difficulties;
• Complaints of chest pains and/or nausea;
• Low self-esteem;
• Losing touch with friends;
• Difficulty getting motivated.

Suggestions for managing exam stress

• Effective Study habits:Effective study and learning habits can help to reduce exam stress in students of all ages.

• Diet: Ensure your child is eating regular healthy meals throughout the exam period, drinking lots of water, and that they are monitoring their caffeine or sugar intake.

• Lifestyle: Encourage your child to keep up leisure activities such as seeing friends, exercising, or even watching television, as these activities give the brain a much-needed break from studying, which will allow for more effective study in the future.

• Sleep: Encourage your child to stop studying at least one hour prior to going to bed, in order to help them unwind and have a more restful sleep.

• Relaxation: Relaxation techniques such as breathing and muscle exercises can help your child calm down and manage their stress symptoms in a range of environments and situations.

Please contact our clinic to make an appointment if you believe your child would benefit from some assistance in dealing with exam stress.