Exam Season Stress: What to Watch Out For and How to Help
Now that exam season is rapidly approaching, it’s important to acknowledge the toll that academic stress can take on students, particularly children and young adults. While stress around exams is often brushed off as mere “nerves” or “jitters,” the reality is that academic pressure can have serious and long-lasting impacts on a student’s mental well-being. Left unaddressed, it can disrupt sleep, concentration, and confidence and even lead to more serious mental health concerns like anxiety and depression.
Exams are often portrayed as the defining moment in a young person’s life. It’s not uncommon for students to feel as though their entire future hangs on a single set of results. That mindset can create a toxic level of pressure, leading to feelings of failure, hopelessness, and burnout, long before they even sit the test.
While this stress can be overwhelming and, at times, debilitating, there are ways for parents, carers, and educators to step in, provide support, and ensure that children do not experience it alone.
Signs Your Child May Be Struggling with Exam Stress
It’s not always obvious when a student is under stress, especially if they’re trying to appear “fine” on the surface. Here are some key signs to watch for:
- Changes in mood or behaviour – irritability, withdrawal, emotional outbursts
- Physical symptoms – headaches, stomach aches, fatigue, changes in eating or sleeping habits
- Loss of interest – no longer enjoying hobbies, avoiding schoolwork or revision
- Negative self-talk – statements like “I’m going to fail” or “I’m not good enough”
- Procrastination or overworking – either putting everything off or studying obsessively
Ways to Support Your Child During Exam Season
Fortunately, there are many effective ways to help your child manage exam-related stress. Here are a few simple but powerful steps you can take:
- Open the conversation – Ask how they feel, listen without judgment, and validate their emotions.
- Encourage a healthy routine – Ensure they get enough sleep, regular meals, and breaks from studying.
- Help them create a revision plan – Structure can reduce feelings of being overwhelmed.
- Promote self-care and downtime – Make sure they know it’s okay (and necessary) to relax.
- Celebrate effort, not just results – Remind them that trying their best is what truly matters.
- Consider professional help – If stress levels seem unmanageable, don’t hesitate to seek advice from a school counsellor or mental health professional.
Exams are important—but not more important than a young person’s well-being. As we enter one of the most stressful periods of the school year, let’s shift the focus away from perfection and towards support. Let’s remind our children that their worth is not defined by a grade and that asking for help is okay.
By being present, proactive, and compassionate, we can help students not just survive exam season but emerge stronger from it.