Supporting young people's mental health in the approach to receiving exam results
Results day is just around the corner for many students across the UK. It can be a nerve-wracking time waiting for the results of something they have put so much time and hard work into. Worrying about their results, future plans or even how to celebrate their achievement can really start to impact their emotions and wellbeing day-to-day.
If you are worried about how your child is coping with the anticipation of their results, read these tips put together by Kooth, the digital mental health care provider, to help them manage their stress and anxiety.
- Help them to make a plan for results day - stress comes from the unknown
Make sure they are clear on:
- The time and day that their results are released
- Where they pick up their results
- How they are travelling to collect their results, if necessary
- Who do they want to go with them
It can be useful to help them put a plan in place for different scenarios. Depending on their results, they may want to look into clearing, resits, and adjustments. They may feel overwhelmed on the day so having these plans ready beforehand can help them to feel more prepared and less stressed.
- Manage their stress levels
Help them to keep a check on their stress levels, some signs of stress include:
- Changes in appetite or sleeping patterns
- Low mood
- Feeling irritable, restless or tense
- Withdrawing from daily activities
- Having difficulty breathing
- Feeling unwell more often
It is completely normal to be stressed when waiting for exam results. However, everyone experiences stress differently, so it may take some time to work out which source of stress relief works for them.
They could try:
- Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises or guided meditation
- Sleep tools such as Sleepio to help them sleep
- Journalling
- Getting outside in nature
- Listening to music
- Engaging in your favourite hobbies more often
Reducing their stress will help them to keep level-headed and make clear decisions.
- Talk about it
Encourage them to talk to you or friends who are going through the same thing, this can really help them to feel like they are not alone in their worries about results day and the future. Talking is a great way to process emotions and work out their plans. You could also suggest they talk to friends or family who have been through this experience before, they may be able to help them plan and provide some insight and perspective.
- Be there for others
Support them in being there for others. In the same way that they might want to talk to others about how they are feeling, they may also need to be there to support their peers. Listening to their friends about how they are feeling will not only strengthen their support system and friendships but can also help them to feel better about their situation. In trying to reassure their friends and help them plan for their results, they may discover ways to help themself.
- Help them to avoid comparing themselves to others
It can be really easy for your children to compare themselves to others, especially when it comes to results. Although it’s great to celebrate the success of others, try to encourage them not to compare themselves to what others are doing, as it can sometimes leave them feeling disheartened. Tell them to remember that we are all different - success comes in many different routes, and exam results do not define you.
Whatever the outcome, completing exams is a fantastic achievement and something they should be proud of.
If you are worried about your child and think they need support with their mental health during this stressful period, visit the Frimley Healthier Together website for information and services in your local area which can help and support you both, or reach out to Kooth where there are self-help resources, podcasts, tools, mini activities and online forums where they can connect with other users. They can also have a 1:1 confidential chat with one of their counsellors or mental health practitioners.