Samaritans help students struggling with exam stress with practical advice

As the UK heads into exam season, worrying findings by the Samaritans and YouGov reveal the stress young people are under to achieve high marks.

Samaritans’ director of policy, research and development, Joe Ferns said: “It’s natural to feel anxious around this time and many people struggle to cope with the stress, worries and fears about the future. We know that talking it all through really can help you feel more in control and help you to get some perspective. It can be very lonely when you don’t feel able to talk about your fears and anxieties with people around you but Samaritans is there for you, 24/7, whatever you’re going through.”

A third of people between the ages of 18 to 24 feel pressurised to do well in exams and counted it amongst their five biggest worries.

Other sources of stress included money and debt, relationship problems, workplace issues and a lack of sex life.

Samaritans’ trustee and youth mental health expert, Dr Mike Shooter has survival advice for all students feeling the strain of their approaching exams.

He says: “Exams can bring with them a whirlwind of emotions: panic, anxiety, fear of failure and fear about the future – getting into university or finding a job following the recession. My advice to students therefore is:

·         DO plan your revision timetable well in advance, with a comfortable amount of work per day. Leaving everything to the last minute will just increase your stress.

·         DO include in your timetable regular breaks for doing things entirely outside your work. Having time off to socialise with friends and family or just enjoying life by yourself will actually improve your performance when you are working.

·         DO look after yourself physically – eat healthily, sleep well and get regular exercise. Stress often undermines physical health if you let it, so these things are important.

·         Do try to get things into perspective. Although exams are important, remember they are not your only chance at success in life.

·         DON’T drink heavily or take drugs. You may think it will help at the time but it will only make things worse in the longer run.”

If you are feeling stressed about your exams or other worries in your life, visit:  www.samaritans.org for support and information.