Children and young people facing exam stress - advice from ChildLine

Children and young people facing exam stress

Young people in Rochdale will be amongst the millions of under 18s that will sit exams this summer and according to a new survey by ChildLine 92 per cent of young people feel anxious about their revision and exams. 

While most young people are able to manage their anxiety, vulnerable young people are turning to alcohol (14 per cent) and self harm (8 per cent) to cope. This presents a significant safeguarding concern for these vulnerable young people.

Last year (2010/11) the ChildLine base in Manchester counselled 232 children about exam stress.

To help children and young people cope with exams and combat anxiety, ChildLine has made a  short film, which can be viewed on a new ‘Beat Exam Stress’ hub on their website.

Results from the ChildLine poll also found:

• Other main causes of anxiety for young people are not getting into university or college (57 per cent) and fears about sitting the exam (56 per cent)
• Almost two thirds (64 per cent) say they’ve never had any support in dealing with exams
• Almost half (45 per cent) of children and young people say they have skipped meals due to anxiety about exams
• Two thirds (64 per cent) of those surveyed said they have had trouble sleeping
• Talking to friends (43 per cent) is the most common way of dealing with exam anxiety

Christine Mellor, assistant director for ChildLine North West said: "The exam period can be a very stressful and anxious time for young people and young people tell us that pressure from parents is one of the top causes of anxiety, as well as that they don’t feel supported through their exams.”

ChildLine says that if you know a young person who is sitting exams this summer, the following advice for parents and carers can help ease exam stress and anxiety:

• Don’t place unnecessary pressure on your children to gain certain grades. They may feel they have failed if they don’t achieve what they thought was expected of them.
• Encourage children to take regular breaks, eat snacks and exercise.
• Help them revise by leaving them the space and time to do so.  Be relaxed about chores or untidiness and understand they might be moody.
• Allow your children to revise at nights if that’s what works best for them however do make sure that they get enough sleep to keep their energy levels up in the day.
• Be supportive and help alleviate their worries by talking to them.
• Be positive, help them put the whole thing into perspective. They can always take an exam again.
• Get them to check out the new ChildLine video, designed to help young people cope with anxiety, or look for tips and advice on the new ‘Beat Exam Stress’ hub on the ChildLine website.