i have exams in couple weeks around 8 or 9 and im feeling overwhelmed and cant juggle everything. im passing some things and cant others. im making lists upon lists to organise but i just get more stressed and stuck in this bubble in my mind. what should i do for help?
Hi there,
Exams can be stressful and when you feel overwhelmed it can be difficult to organise your time and get your revision and coursework finished. It’s always important to take time to relax and do things you enjoy, especially during stressful times.
When you're under pressure because of your exams try to remember that you’ll learn best when you’re feeling calm and you're not hungry or tired. Feeling stressed often makes it harder to get on with things as your mind is busy thinking about what you need to do. Sometimes the best thing you can do is to have a short break and then come back to studying when you feel refreshed.
Some stress can be helpful as it can motivate you to get things done but too much can make you feel like you can’t cope. When you start to feel stressed try going for a walk, writing in your journal, having a chat with a friend or by talking about how you’re feeling with a Childline counsellor.
When you’re planning your revision make sure you schedule time to relax and have fun between study times. Your timetable could be split into 1 hour time slots with 10 minute breaks when you can stretch your legs, get a drink of water or play a game. Have a longer break every 3 hours with a healthy snack or a nap if you’re tired. Set a timer or an alarm when it’s time to start your revision again.
It can help to decide which subjects you're going to revise each day and use old exam papers to practise or ask a friend to quiz you about what you’ve learned. Remove distractions while you’re working and turn off notifications on your phone and find a quiet place to study if you can. That might mean asking your family not to disturb you, putting your headphones on or going to the library or a friend’s house if it’s too noisy at home. Some people find it easier to study with some background noise, like quiet music, so find what works best for you.
Remember, Childline is always here to support you and exam time is difficult for lots of people. On the Childline message boards you can find out how other people are coping and supporting each other.
Thank you for your letter.
Take care,
Sam
You can talk privately to a counsellor online or call 0800 1111 for free.
You can ask me about anything you want, there's nothing too big or small. I read every single letter but I can only answer a few each week. My replies are published here on my page.
