Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, Childline delivered 1,647 counselling sessions where the young person mentioned exam/revision stress.
Shaun Friel, Childline Director, said, "At Childline we know that exam season can be a stressful time for children and young people. We consistently see a spike in contacts about exam stress in May, when exam season begins.
"Young people are telling our counsellors about losing sleep over exams, feeling pressured by themselves and family members, and struggling to balance revision with other important parts of their lives. Many feel guilty about taking breaks and worry about letting people down if they don't achieve the results they hope for.
“We want every young person to remember that exam results don't define their worth or future potential. Childline's trained counsellors are available around the clock for anyone feeling overwhelmed.
"The Childline website offers practical advice on positive thinking, healthy coping strategies, and maintaining perspective during exam time. Young people can also find comfort in connecting with peers through our monitored message boards, where they can share experiences and support each other.”
Advice from Childline to pass on to your children
- Think positively. When we feel anxious, we can start thinking things like ‘I can’t do this’ and ‘I’m going to fail’. It can be difficult but try to replace these with positive thoughts such as: ‘this is just anxiety, it can’t harm me’ and, ‘relax, concentrate - it's going to be okay’.
- Be honest about how you feel. Sometimes people can put pressure on you without even realising and sometimes it can help to talk about how it makes you feel. Talking about things can help you to think about other ways they can support you in the future. If you’re worried about telling someone, you can always talk to us.
- Don’t compare yourself to your friends: Competing with your friends can help to keep you motivated. But it can also make you feel like you’re not good enough, especially on social media. Try keeping a list of the revision you’ve done so you can see how much you’re achieving.
- Let your stress out: through art, a mood journal or write a letter to someone you trust saying what’s happening. The Childline website has plenty of resources to help with this, including Art Box which provides a space for young people to write or draw about their feelings.
- Create a realistic revision schedule: Your brain needs time to process information, and short breaks actually help with retaining what you've learned.
- Take care of your physical health: Regular exercise, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep can significantly improve your concentration and memory.
- Keep perspective: Remember that exams are important, but they don't define your worth or determine your entire future. There are always alternative paths if things don't go as planned
Advice for parents and carers
- Reassure your child that you are here to support them.
- Talk to them over text or on the phone if they don’t feel able to talk in person.
- Recognise that their feelings are valid and letting them know it’s ok for them to be honest about what they're feeling.
- Help them think of healthy ways to cope. You could try things like yoga, breathing exercises or mindfulness together.
- Help your child maintain perspective about their exams. Remind them that while it's important to try their best, their self-worth isn't defined by their grades.
The NSPCC Childline service provides a safe, confidential place for children with no one else to turn to, whatever their worry, whenever they need help. Children can contact Childline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
