PRESS RELEASE
Exams are a top worry for 1 in 3 young people
Samaritans expert provides tips on how to cope
17 May 2010
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.”
Lindsey, branch director for Cheltenham & District Samaritans said:
“It is natural to feel anxious around this time. If you feel alone and are struggling to manage your stress during the exam period, talking about your feelings can help.
Not only does talking offer emotional relief but it can also help you to gain perspective and clarity before your emotions spiral out of control and become unmanageable. If you feel there is no one you can talk to this is where Samaritans can help: we are there to offer you confidential emotional support 24/7, so please do get in touch by phone, email or text. Also callers are welcomed into the branch, in Back Albert Place, to sit down and talk directly to a volunteer at any time between 8am and 10pm, seven days a week.”
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: www.samaritans.org
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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.
For further information about this press release or to arrange an interview with a Samaritans’ spokesperson please contact Graham Tandy, Publicity Officer, Cheltenham Samaritans, Victoria House, Back Albert Place, Cheltenham, GL52 2HN (Phone: 07777 683 448 or email: publicity@cheltenhamsamaritans.org)