Smash your exams through stress-free study
Online charity YouthNet and national agony uncle Matt Whyman have launched a guide to dealing with anxiety and stress, to help the millions of pupils and students facing a summer of exams and revision.
The charity already offers exam-stress advice and support on its 'guide to life' for 16 to 25 year-olds, TheSite.org, and is working with Matt Whyman to get the message out there that help is available.
Matt, who has years of experience as an expert and author on young people’s issues says: “The revision period is an intense time and many young people don’t appreciate the strain they’re under – stress caused by the pressure to meet personal and external expectations.
“Our message to students is to keep your cool during revision and remember that help is out there. If you’re struggling, be honest with yourself and seek support. That way you can look back knowing you gave it your best shot."
Guide to a stress-free exam season:
- Stress can be a positive force - turn it to your advantage and use it to stay on top of revision
- Exams are about you and nobody else, so avoid comparing yourself with mates in terms of confidence and preparation
- It’s natural your family want you to do well, but don’t worry about letting them down. What matters is that you try your best
- In the thick of revision, it’s easy to let the pressure get on top of you. Talking is the surest way to get anxieties in perspective
- If you need support and advice, try TheSite.org/askTheSite for a personalised email from one of our stress-busting experts
- Ultimately, don't lose sight of the fact that there is life after exams. Things might seem intense right now, but it won't last forever.
Top revision tips:
- It’s never too early or too late to start preparing for exams - decide how much time you have and draw up a realistic revision plan
- Set aside revision time on a regular basis so you cover all your subjects without stressing or overdoing it
- Break-up your revision time with short breaks and use them as a reward for all your hard work
- Revise where you won't be distracted. If you need a computer, don’t lose yourself in social networking and browsing - keep that for breaks
- Stick to your revision plan so you can enter your exams knowing you’re as ready as possible - ultimately, it's the surest way to shine.
Young people worried about exams or stress can receive a personal, expert answer to any question about emotional wellbeing through TheSite.org’s askTheSite service, or get advice from and share tips with other young people on TheSite.org’s discussion boards.
TheSite.org, run by charity YouthNet, provides straight-talking, anonymous information and advice 24 hours a day, on subjects including work & study, drink & drugs, and sex & relationships. Its bespoke question and answer service, askTheSite, provides young people with a confidential, personal answer to any question within three working days. Work and study questions are answered by experts from partner organisation bss, who advise on education and careers.
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Media Enquiries:
For further media information – or to arrange interviews with Matt Whyman – please contact Gabriella Jówiak or Katy Miller at YouthNet on 020 7250 5716 or out-of-hours on 07766 660 755. Email media@youthnet.org
Notes to editors
- Matt Whyman - is an askTheSite advisor who writes weekly replies to questions from TheSite.org users. More information about Matt is available at www.mattwhyman.com
- Run by young people’s charity YouthNet, TheSite.org is the online guide to life for 16 to 25 year-olds. With over 2,000 articles written by experts and journalists, a series of blogs, podcasts and videos, a bespoke question and answer service (askTheSite) and a thriving online community, TheSite.org is the central place for young people to turn to for sound, straight talking, anonymous advice 24-hours-a-day
- Every month, TheSite.org is visited by over 500,000 unique users, and receives around 800 questions on issues ranging from relationships to advice on housing. Content on TheSite.org is also available on mobile, at TheSite.org/mobile
- YouthNet is the UK’s first exclusively online charity and was founded by Martyn Lewis CBE in 1995. It aims to create a socially inclusive environment where all young adults are engaged, informed and inspired to achieve their ambitions and dreams, and does this through three websites: TheSite.org, the UK’s leading volunteering website Do-it (do-it.org.uk) and Lifetracks.com, for young people making decisions about work, study or training.