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Creative in Learning Top Tips

How to deal with exam stress

What are we doing to our children? In an article I read recently, according to new figures from Childline, exam stress has led to a sharp increase in the amount of counselling being sought by teenagers. Why on earth should our teenagers need counselling? Well according to the article, ‘More than 1,000 counselling sessions given by the helpline last year related to exam worries – an increase of 68 percent during the last two years.’ Read our top tips on how to recognise the signs and how to deal with exam stress below.

I can remember only too well, the anxiety the night before picking up my GCSE and A’level results. I felt sick, but I knew that my worrying couldn’t change the results I had. However, whatever I tried to do, it didn’t take that feeling in my stomach away. The article sites that ‘More than a quarter of the (counselling) sessions took place in August, when GCSE and A-level results were released. This is one aspect that didn’t surprise me. It felt as though picking up the results was worse than sitting the exam! I can remember the old lady who lived near us saying to me, ‘Well Alison, what will be will be! ‘ How right she was.

Sometimes, I think so much stress is put on imparting knowledge and facts that teaching about how to deal with feelings is often lost. I think this is especially true in secondary school, and I’m not criticising secondary schools here, but I think it’s due to the fact that pupils come into contact with so many different people throughout the day. In primary school, the teacher has a very close bond with his or her pupils as s/he has them all day.

 

 

The symptoms of stress

So how do we recognise the signs of stress leading up to exams and results?

  • Feeling inadequate, negative self talk, blaming
  • Problems getting to sleep or not wanting to wake up
  • Strongly beating heart, sweating
  • Chest pains, nausea, trembling
  • Habits such as nail biting and fidgeting
  • Indecisiveness, going blank, confusion
  • Increased smoking, drinking, or increased drug use
  • Losing touch with friends
  • Headaches and migraine
  • Feeling cranky and irritable (increased yelling or crying, swearing, hitting)

So, what can we do to help the situation?

1. Ensure that the pupils know how to study. This includes teaching them the skills need to study. For example memorising, making summaries and precis, working with a friend, having a goal to aim for, taking time to relax,  eating healthily and regularly.

2. Control the breathing

3. Imagine being somewhere peaceful – e.g. A beach

4. Mindfulness

5. Using an anchor – for example, rubbing a ring or rubbing your ear, to remind you to stay calm.

All of the above, take time to practice and sometimes pupils will need coaching in these techniques to ensure that they are able to draw on them when needed.

As parents, try and be as tolerant as you can be. Maybe try to use the techniques alongside your child. Let your child know that you are there for them, but try not to push yourself onto the child – they may prefer space. Remember to praise the effort they are putting in, rather than focussing on the achievement they would like to have.

We are always here to help. If you are concerned about your child, then please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss – remember a problem shared……

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May I say how wonderful Suzanne has been with my daughter during her GCSE journey. She has gained so much because Suzanne is incredible at getting the message across and making learning real. My daughter is going to be studying for A levels in September and so I will be in touch for further support in the new academic year. I would really like Suzanne to continue to assist her.

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Coming for tutoring at Creative has made a huge difference to Niamh’s confidence. School have commented that she is more willing to answer questions and she is happy to give maths a try now!

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As you know, the reason we wanted Lily to have extra maths tuition is because she was really struggling with all areas of maths. This last 6 months, since starting with yourselves, my husband Eric, myself and Lily have noticed a massive increase in Lily’s confidence in this area. She loves working with Charlotte and she has had a huge impact on Lily’s learning. Lily tried her numeracy GCSE early this June in year 10. The highest grade she could get on the paper she tried was a B and she got a B!!!!

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