The Signs of Stress at Exam Time
'Karen' explains how
stressed she felt while waiting for her exam results:
I wasn't speaking to my parents, I had all
these powerful emotions inside of me that I couldn't bring myself
to talk to my friends about. I felt like I was being destroyed by
what was going on inside of me.
I was just at the end of my line. I didn't know where to go, what
to do, I thought I'd gone insane, I just wanted some peace. The
only way I thought I could get it was by topping myself. I was
totally messed up, out of control. If I hadn't rung Samaritans and
got help I think I might have done the most stupid thing that
anyone could ever do."
So, what can you do about it?
- Talk to someone you trust, whether that is a friend, teacher or
relative
- Eat healthy food regularly
- Get exercise - walking, running, dancing, sport
- Get a reasonable amount of sleep.
Dr Mike Shooter, Samaritans’ trustee and youth mental health
expert, offers his top tips to students on how to survive the 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."
Why does talking
help?
Talking openly about how you
really feel can be like opening a door. Talking puts you back in
control and reveals the choices you have. Many people feel
pressured into hiding their feelings out of embarrassment or
concern not to burden family or friends.
But hiding under a calm
exterior only saves the problem for later and stress can build up
until it becomes unbearable. Don't leave it that long. Remember
your emotional health is your responsibility and Samaritans is
there to help whatever time of the day or night.
'Gary' describes how talking
to a Samaritans volunteer helped him:
"I'd like to say how great
Samaritans are. I recently phoned them and the bloke I talked to
was really calm and friendly.
He gave me the time that I needed to say difficult things and he
called me back so that the call wouldn't appear on the itemised
phone bill. No-one there could magically make my life better and
totally happy, but talking really did help.
People reading this who are depressed might not believe that; I
know because I was the same. But I'd like to say give it a try - it
can't make things worse can it? I also know that there will always
be someone at the end of the phone."
You can call a Samaritan 24
hours a day on 08457 90 90 90 (UK) or 1850 60 90 90 (Republic of
Ireland) to talk through stress, depression or anxiety, in total
confidence.
You can also e-mail
Samaritans on jo@samaritans.org.
If you know someone in
distress, encouraging them to phone or e-mail Samaritans will help
them take their first step. Good luck.