How to support students in the lead-up to exam season

Exams at any stage can be stressful. But final-year school exams carry added pressure, often determining the next step on a student’s academic journey. 

This stress is particularly intense for those applying to competitive courses or elite institutions, where even the smallest grade difference can affect acceptance. As counsellors, it is crucial to understand and acknowledge this pressure and to implement strategies that help students not only cope but perform at their best.

Preparing for exams: the basics

It always surprises me how many students look sheepish when asked about the basics: physical and mental well-being, a healthy diet and sufficient sleep. The long lead-up to exams, followed by an intense exam schedule, can be physically and mentally demanding. I often compare exam preparation to marathon training: you need to build stamina, focus and resilience through consistent practice. 

Encourage students to prioritise self-care, emphasising that looking after themselves is just as important as their study efforts. Many of the ideas in this article can be adapted specifically for students.

Planning and revising

Because all students learn differently, their revision plans should be realistic and tailored to their specific needs. My key tip is to encourage students to include planned breaks for enjoyable activities when preparing their revision timetable – having something to look forward to can boost motivation and focus.

Promote the use of active revision methods, such as summarising notes, teaching concepts to a peer and using flash cards or mind maps. It’s also vital to allocate time for completing past exam papers under timed conditions. This helps students identify timing issues and refine their exam technique. If timing or technique is a challenge, subject teachers can provide the best guidance.

Making effective time-management and exam strategies second nature ensures that when students enter the exam room, the only unknown is the question paper itself. Many students later reflect that they ran out of time, so reinforcing the importance of timing is key to completing their exams successfully.

A problem shared is a problem halved

Encourage students to express their feelings – whether to a teacher, a parent, a counsellor or a friend. If a student shows signs of stress during a meeting, for example, gently open the conversation and explore coping strategies. Often, just knowing they’re not alone in their feelings can be a significant relief.

If parental pressure is contributing to their stress, consider how best to address this. A casual conversation with the parent about their child’s exam experience can provide an opportunity to discuss pressures the parent may not be aware of. Sometimes communication between teenagers and parents needs facilitation, and this is where a counsellor can step in.

If a student is struggling with a specific subject, encourage them to seek help from their teachers. If they’re too shy or anxious to do so, offering to initiate contact on their behalf can remove a major barrier. Reassure them that feeling overwhelmed during exam season is completely normal and something you’ve seen many times before.

Teach stress-reduction techniques

Students may benefit from learning some simple yet effective techniques to manage stress before and during exams.

Breathing exercises: deep breathing and mindfulness exercises can help students stay calm and focused.

Visualisation: encourage students to envisage themselves succeeding in their exams, which can help boost their confidence.

Positive affirmations: replacing negative thoughts with positive affirmations can enhance self-belief and reduce performance anxiety.

Relaxation breaks: short mental breaks that include music, meditation or light stretching can refresh the mind and improve concentration.

Extenuating circumstances

Be prepared for the unexpected. Unexpected situations may arise before or during exams, and it is important that counsellors understand the process of communicating these issues to universities. If a serious issue affects a student’s exam performance, it’s always best to reach out to the university for guidance on the steps you need to take.

Ensure students obtain the necessary documentation, particularly in medical cases. Documents should be in the appropriate language, properly dated, stamped and signed. Consult the examinations officer in case the information needs to be sent to the exam board within a specific time frame – it is far harder to address these issues retrospectively.

Reflection and resilience

If students show signs of stress after an exam, encourage them to reflect on their performance and learn from the experience. Exams can be unpredictable, and even high-performing students may encounter challenging papers. The key is resilience – help them understand that one difficult exam does not define their entire academic journey.

Sharing past students’ experiences or even your own can reassure them that setbacks are common and manageable. Focus on the positives and turn challenges into learning opportunities.

Always have a Plan B

Finally, I always advise students to have a plan B in case plan A doesn’t work out. Normalising backup options from the start can significantly reduce anxiety because students will feel reassured knowing they have a safety net.