NCFE
Printable version

Mental Health Awareness Week: Supporting students manage their mental wellbeing and exam work load

Blog posted by: Louise Geddis-Regan, Innovation Marketing Officer, Monday 14 May 2018.

In the run up to Mental Health Awareness Week we have been running our 12 Days of Exam Wellbeing campaign to encourage students, parents and teachers to prioritise mental wellbeing during exam periods. The anxieties of exam pressure can mean that this time of year is incredibly stressful for young people. It’s increasingly important that we support students develop coping strategies to help them tackle their exam stress and equip them with better life long skills to look after their mental health.  Focusing on achieving a better balance during exam preparations, this infographic illustrates a series of tips we have designed to help students improve their mental wellbeing during exams. 

It’s normal to feel nervous about an exam. You’re not alone.

Here are 12 top tips to help yourself feel more relaxed and focused.

  1. Organise your revision – A clear daily schedule will help to calm your nerves down
  2. Look over past exam questions and answer some in exam conditions
  3. Listen to music while you are revising – Lyrics might be distracting, but instrumental music can help you focus. Film soundtracks and classical collections are good places to start.
  4. Make revision manageable by breaking each hour down into 40 minutes of revision followed by 20 minutes to take a break, go for a walk, eat something healthy.
  5. Put a sweet or a treat in random pages in your revision book – a reward for sticking with it.
  6. Make time away from your studies - Watch a film, grab a coffee, relax in a warm bubble bath or read something for fun.
  7. Allow your mind to relax - Try our short videos on mindfulness and Thought Field Therapy for instant relief from exam pressure.
  8. Talk to your family and friends - Seeing your friends will help you unwind and share any problems. But avoid comparing your abilities to theirs.
  9. Get some exercise - Go for a walk, a run, play your regular sports or get up and dance. Exercise is a good stress reducer.
  10. Eat well and keep hydrated – Keep your energy up with healthy snacks, meals and drinks.
  11. Get enough sleep – A properly rested brain will help you focus.
  12. Keep things in perspective – Five years from now your exams will be distant memories. Whatever your results, you’ll still be alright.

Remember, your best is good enough.

We believe that taking time to care for our mental health is just as important as revision and exam practice. By sharing this infographic, we hope to drive the conversation forward about mental health and encourage more students to look after their mental health for now and the future. 

If you are interested in more effective ways to manage exam stress and anxiety, we have developed GoCalm, a purpose built app combining relaxation techniques with neuro-feedback technology designed to  help students learn how to relieve the burden of exam pressure. For more information you can visit our GoCalm pages here.

 

Channel website: https://www.ncfe.org.uk/

Original article link: https://www.ncfe.org.uk/blog/2018/5/14/mental-health-awareness-week-supporting-students-manage-their-mental-wellbeing-and-exam-work-load/

Share this article

ncfe logo
T: 0191 239 8000
F: 0191 239 8001
E: service@ncfe.org.uk

Collaborate Twitter @NCFE

 


NCFE Home

About NCFE

Qualifications

Centre Information

Resources     

 

Latest News from
NCFE

Free, Secure, Compliant UK Public Sector IT Recycling Service