The Study Skills Programme
Ways of dealing with stress : understanding why we feel anxious
Exam stress usually arises from four different causes . Think carefully about each cause – which apply to you ?
1 . External pressures – this is when you feel pressured by the expectations of teachers or family . You have targets you should be meeting . Everyone wants to know how the revision is going !
Choose an item .
2 . Internal pressures – these are connected with what will happen after the exams – will you be able to get into sixth form , college or start an apprenticeship ? The results of the exams may prevent you from doing what you want in terms of career or education .
Choose an item .
3 . The pressure of competition – you feel you are in competition with your peers and your achievements will be judged against theirs .
Choose an item .
4 . You haven ’ t worked hard enough – you feel unprepared . Maybe you haven ’ t worked hard enough , or there have been things in your life that have made it difficult to prepare as you would have liked to .
Choose an item .
Understanding the cause ( s ) of your stress is the first step to dealing with it . The second step is to share your feelings ( remember this from Felicity ’ s video ). Confide in someone you trust – parents / carers , teachers or a friend . Be honest about the way you ’ re feeling and why . While they may not have all the answers – they may have some suggestions which will help your situation .
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