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If you're finding exam season more stressful than a trip to the dentist, the final boss on your favourite computer game or even a sudden-death penalty shoot out in the cup final, then… try and relax – we've got some tips that will help you learn how to cope with exam stress.

Our exam veterans have given some inspirational advice on how to reduce stress and anxiety during exams. Watch the video and then read our recap and you'll soon be feeling much more calm about your exams.

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How to deal with exam stress

Here are our top 5 tips for reducing stress during exam season. We hope they'll make you feel more calm than a sloth wearing sunglasses and sipping a smoothie whilst meditating on a beach, listening to whale sounds. Trust us, this sloth is caaaaaalm.

  • Revise little and often It can be overwhelming trying to tackle all your revision at once, so plan ahead and break your revision up into small, more manageable chunks. We suggest creating a revision timetable and making sure you plan time for fun things like seeing friends and chilling out.
  • Work on the subjects you are worried about Ask your teachers questions about the topics you struggle with the most. This will help you fill the gaps in your knowledge and allow you to focus on the things you find most difficult. It can be hard to focus when you find a topic hard, so why not break your revision up into twenty or thirty minute sessions with a ten minute break in between? We've got a guide on how to do this here.
  • Exercise is a great way to de-stress Doing something fun that helps you stay healthy is a great way to boost your endorphins. This will help reduce your stress levels too. If you want to know more about how exercise can help you revise, we've got a guide for that.
  • Check in with your mates Revising can be very lonely, so chatting with friends either face-to-face, over the phone or on a video call, will help boost your mood. You can chat about revision, or just have a good old natter about how you're feeling. Catching up with friends can be a big stress-reliever!
  • Talk to someone you trust If you're struggling with stress, it's important to talk to someone you trust, like a parent, carer, teacher or GP. Reaching out to someone when you feel worried can help take a weight off your shoulders and can help steer you in the right direction to receive help. Sometimes you need to remember that it's not always about the grade you get in your exams. It's about trying your hardest and doing the best you can.
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If you want some more useful exam tips and guidance, then we've got loads of amazing advice to help guide you through exam season on the pages below, what are you waiting for? Give them a tap!

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If you need support

You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.

If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact , where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There are more links to helpful organisations on ˿ Action Line.

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