Stressed about GCSE and A Level Exam Results?

ARE YOU AND YOUR CHILD ANXIOUS ABOUT THE IMMINENT EXAM RESULTS?

For some the pressure surrounding exams and results can feel overwhelming. This is not unusual. Many young people are concerned about how exam results will affect their future.

We can feel more worried at this time, and when worrying gets out of hand it can become ANXIETY. This anxiety can be difficult to manage. We can feel nervous and sick, find it difficult to relax and we feel concerned about our future.

What to do!

• Talk to someone you trust and share your worries with anyone you find supportive. This might be your parents, your teachers or a friend. Don’t be embarrassed about how you feel – this is normal, and many others will be feeling it too.
  

• EXAM RESULTS DO NOT DEFINE WHO YOU ARE! – Your parents will want you to do well but will understand if you are feeling under too much pressure. Talk to them about your worries so that they can support you with new or different plans that you have.
  

Many people find exams hard for various reasons, but that doesn’t mean you can’t succeed.

THERE ARE ALWAYS ALTERNATIVES

Education is important, but it does not stop at school. There are many other alternatives available to you, such as BTECs/NQVs/Apprenticeships etc. These can give you exciting and valuable experiences that will help you to gain employment as well as traditional routes, like university. Your teachers and careers advisors will be able to provide you with advice on these routes.

Don’t compare yourself to others! Everyone has different strengths and abilities what they want for the future. There is no right or wrong next step but there are lots of exciting opportunities out there whatever results you got in your exams.

It’s your choice and your life.

Celebrate what you have achieved and look at how those achievements can lead onto your next steps. It’s OK not to know what you want to do. Even with degrees and other academic qualifications, many do not know what their plans are.

It’s OK if you make a different choice to your friends – be confident and proud of the decisions you have made.

If you didn’t achieve the results you were hoping for - BE YOUR OWN BEST FRIEND – YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH!

It is normal to feel disappointed, but this WILL pass. Look for new opportunities, seek help and everything will turn out OK.

Some of the most successful people didn’t get the grades that they were hoping for!

• Richard Branson left school at 16
• Simon Cowell passed barely any exams
• Lord Alan Sugar has 1 GCSE
  

You will be able to take a different route to achieve your goals and these can often lead to unexpected and exciting opportunities.

Take this time to FEEL and think about what you want - don’t make a snap decision.

If you fell stressed try the following:

• Relaxation – Find somewhere to feel calm, a quiet place and lie down. Get comfortable and allow your muscles to go floppy
  

• Get plenty of sleep – things often feel worse when you are tired.
  

• Exercise – releases tension and releases Serotonin – a hormone which improve mood
  

• Diet – drink water, eat healthy food and avoid artificial sweeteners
  

• Socialise – remember you have a life outside of studying. Allow yourself time out and with others to have some fun!
  

IF YOU ARE FEELING EXTREMELY LOW AND DISTRESSED WE URGE YOU TO REACH OUT FOR HELP

WE ALSO URGE PARENTS, TEACHERS AND OTHERS TO REACH IN AND GIVE STUDENTS A SPACE TO SHARE HOW THEY ARE FEELING.

With the right support, young people can stay safe and start to feel hopeful about their future.