Don't suffer exam stress in silence

The dreaded A-level results are out, but many students all over the South West are still nervously waiting for GCSE results this week.

So much emphasis is placed on exam success that keeping results in proportion can be difficult.

Children’s charity ChildLine is reminding young people that if they need to talk about any fears, they can seek confidential counselling by calling the helpline.

Assistant director of ChildLine, Denise Robertson said: “Last year ChildLine counselled over 800 young people who said they had concerns about their exams, two thirds of these calls came from girls.

“It is natural to feel nervous about exam results but, equally, they can’t control someone’s whole future because there are lots of other ways to gain experience.

“If you are worried then make sure you talk to someone – a parent, carer, friend or teacher, or speak to someone in private by calling ChildLine.

“Counsellors can help you think things through, look at options such as re-sits and talk about how things could be done differently. A careers advisor could also help point you in the right direction.”

ChildLine’s advice about coping with exams can be found online here: www.childline.org.uk/Info/Life/Pages/HomeworkExams.aspx