Exams are a top worry for 1 in 3 young people

Exams are a top worry for 1 in 3 young people

-For Immediate Release-

Monday 17th May 2010

Samaritans expert provides tips on how to cope

As students across the UK take exams this month, a survey by Samaritans and YouGov reveals that exams and the pressure to achieve high marks are one of the biggest worries* for nearly a third (30 %) of young people aged 18 to 24 in the country today.

Dr Mike Shooter, Samaritans’ trustee and youth mental health expert, offers his top tips to students on how to survive the current exam period:

"Exams can bring with them a whirlwind of emotions: panic, anxiety, fear of failure and fear about the future – getting into university or finding a job following the recession. My advice to students therefore is:

  • DO plan your revision timetable well in advance, with a comfortable amount of work per day. Leaving everything to the last minute will just increase your stress.
  • DO include in your timetable regular breaks for doing things entirely outside your work. Having time off to socialise with friends and family or just enjoying life by yourself will actually improve your performance when you are working.
  • DO look after yourself physically – eat healthily, sleep well and get regular exercise. Stress often undermines physical health if you let it, so these things are important.
  • Do try to get things into perspective. Although exams are important, remember they are not your only chance at success in life.
  • DON'T drink heavily or take drugs. You may think it will help at the time but it will only make things worse in the longer run."

Samaritans’ director of policy, research and development; Joe Ferns, said: "It's natural to feel anxious around this time and many people struggle to cope with the stress, worries and fears about the future. We know that talking it all through really can help you feel more in control and help you to get some perspective. It can be very lonely when you don't feel able to talk about your fears and anxieties with people around you but Samaritans is there for you, 24/7, whatever you're going through."

Dr Mike Shooter, is hosting a live webcast on 27 May 2010 from 7-8pm. If you are worried about exams – whether you are a student, parent or teacher – you will be able to email in your questions and Mike and his guests will be there to offer advice and support. Please see the Samaritans’ website for further details: http://www.samaritans.org/

For further information or to arrange an interview with a Samaritans’ spokesperson please contact: Robyn Clark on Tel: 0208 394 8348/ Sal Lalji on 0208 394 8342 or Email: r.clark@samaritans.org / s.lalji@samaritans.org

- Ends -

 

Notes to editors:

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2082 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 27th - 30th November 2009.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

*The poll of 2082 people asked the public to identify their five biggest worries over the past year. For 18- 24 year olds top-five sources of anxiety were money and debt (reported by 54% of people), problems in relationships with family and friends (41%), pressure to achieves high marks and exam stress (30%), workplace issues (29%) and not being in a relationship/lack of sex life (23%).

Samaritans' vision is for a society where fewer people die by suicide because people are able to share feelings of emotional distress openly without fear of being judged. Samaritans believes that offering people the opportunity to be listened to in confidence, and accepted without prejudice, can alleviate despair and suicidal feelings.

Samaritans is a registered charity, founded in 1953, which offers 24-hour confidential emotional support to anyone in emotional distress. The service is offered by 16,534 trained volunteers and is entirely dependent on voluntary support. Across the UK, you can call Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 (1850 60 90 90 in the Republic of Ireland) email jo@samaritans.org, write to Samaritans at Chris, PO Box 9090, Stirling, FK8 2SA, or if you are deaf or hard of hearing use the single national minicom number 08457 90 91 92. Log on to www.samaritans.org for more information. Calls from BT will be charged at up to 2 pence per minute at all times. A call set-up fee of 7 pence applies to calls from residential lines. Mobile and other providers' charges may vary.