Exam season is upon us. Around the country schoolchildren and university students are swotting and sweating as they prepare to sit papers that could decide their future. But if you feel that it's getting all too much, here are some tips to relieve the pressure.
Summer holidays may be on the horizon but there are exams to get through first ‒ meaning endless hours of revision for students of all ages. Faced with reams of paper to shuffle and complex terms to memorise, it's all too easy to stay up late, fuelled by coffee and chocolate - or escape and hide in front of the TV, mindlessly gobbling junk food.
As revision time gets underway, make sure you bone up on the health basics so you can sail through studying and ensure peak performance in the exam room.
Preparing for pressure
While it's natural to feel a little nervous, experts say some students may become anxious or depressed, and feel unable to cope. They say signs to watch out for include irrational panic attacks, being uninterested in others' company, losing their appetite, complaining about sleepless nights or being unable to get up in the morning, and taking no pleasure in life outside revision.
Keeping cool during exam time is a question of balance - you have to balance between relaxation, sleep, studying and exercise. Experts emphasise the importance of a healthy diet, particularly during revision time.
You should be cutting down on junk food, eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and drinking lots of water. Food is a popular form of procrastination for teenagers studying at home - when faced with piles of textbooks it's all too tempting to graze from the fridge.
Healthy meals are really important. Try not to snack between meals because it's just another distraction. Caffeine can help concentration, but if you overdo it you'll become jittery and unable to sleep or rest.
Taking time out
All work and no play is not the way to exam success, and taking time out will help your teenager cope with the pressure.
Getting out and doing something really physical is very important, whether it's playing tennis or kicking a football around. It's good to get out there and have a run around - or join an exercise or yoga class.
Studying teens should get involved in some form of exercise every day if possible, or at least every other day.
And there's good news for those who like relaxing in front of the TV, too. There's a lot to be said for just sitting down and watching your favourite TV show - so long as you're not watching TV for hours.
Happily ever after
For some students, the end of exams can be almost as stressful as revising, as they panic about not having worked hard enough. However, it's essential to keep positive and not worry.
Don't beat yourself up if you think you've done something wrong, move on to the next one. Once they're over, put them behind you and don't get stuck mulling over them. While finishing their last exam may be enough of a reward for some students, experts suggest that others might benefit from planning a treat to look forward to when the swotting is done.
Summer holidays may be on the horizon but there are exams to get through first ‒ meaning endless hours of revision for students of all ages. Faced with reams of paper to shuffle and complex terms to memorise, it's all too easy to stay up late, fuelled by coffee and chocolate - or escape and hide in front of the TV, mindlessly gobbling junk food.
As revision time gets underway, make sure you bone up on the health basics so you can sail through studying and ensure peak performance in the exam room.
Preparing for pressure
While it's natural to feel a little nervous, experts say some students may become anxious or depressed, and feel unable to cope. They say signs to watch out for include irrational panic attacks, being uninterested in others' company, losing their appetite, complaining about sleepless nights or being unable to get up in the morning, and taking no pleasure in life outside revision.
Keeping cool during exam time is a question of balance - you have to balance between relaxation, sleep, studying and exercise. Experts emphasise the importance of a healthy diet, particularly during revision time.
You should be cutting down on junk food, eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and drinking lots of water. Food is a popular form of procrastination for teenagers studying at home - when faced with piles of textbooks it's all too tempting to graze from the fridge.
Healthy meals are really important. Try not to snack between meals because it's just another distraction. Caffeine can help concentration, but if you overdo it you'll become jittery and unable to sleep or rest.
Taking time out
All work and no play is not the way to exam success, and taking time out will help your teenager cope with the pressure.
Getting out and doing something really physical is very important, whether it's playing tennis or kicking a football around. It's good to get out there and have a run around - or join an exercise or yoga class.
Studying teens should get involved in some form of exercise every day if possible, or at least every other day.
And there's good news for those who like relaxing in front of the TV, too. There's a lot to be said for just sitting down and watching your favourite TV show - so long as you're not watching TV for hours.
Happily ever after
For some students, the end of exams can be almost as stressful as revising, as they panic about not having worked hard enough. However, it's essential to keep positive and not worry.
Don't beat yourself up if you think you've done something wrong, move on to the next one. Once they're over, put them behind you and don't get stuck mulling over them. While finishing their last exam may be enough of a reward for some students, experts suggest that others might benefit from planning a treat to look forward to when the swotting is done.