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Belfast Samaritans - News

Worries About Exams?

Stress levels during the exam period can seem insurmountable, especially if you feel like your whole life is hanging on your results. If you feel stressed or spot signs of stress in yourself, talking to someone can offer huge emotional relief and help you gain a sense of perspective, clarity and control over your life. Many people feel reluctant to talk perhaps because they are embarrassed or don’t want to be a burden to others but hiding your feelings can result in stress building up to a boiling point where it becomes much more difficult to manage. If you feel there is no one you can talk to this is where Samaritans can help.

Learning to recognise signs of stress:

If you think you might be experiencing stress ask yourself the following questions:

·         Are you angry and impatient with people close to you?

·         Do you feel close to tears over small events?

·         Are you behaving differently from usual?

·         Do you feel isolated from people around you?

·         Is your self-esteem at rock bottom?

Do you have any of these physical symptoms?

·         Sleeplessness

·         Loss of appetite or irregular eating

·         Panic attacks and difficulty breathing

·         Tight, knotty feelings in your stomach

·         Low energy and lack of concentration

·         Loss of interest in things around you

Susan Quilliam's top tips to help young people cope with exam stress this year:

1. Get things in perspective. You'll cope much better if you can relax, focus and stay calm - so do your very best, but don't let panic set in. Remember that exams are important, but not your only shot at success in life. 

2. Train up. You'll do better if you stay physically and mentally fit. So have a regular programme of physical fitness - good diet, regular exercise, lots of sleep. And have a regular programme for revision - some each day, and lots of practice.

3. Control your life. This is not the time to be stretching yourself, taking on new challenges - or falling prey to crisis. Cancel anything stressful, cut down on your social life, avoid love dramas, ask family and friends to go easy on you. 

4. Get support. Find a study buddy you can ring for regular updates. Ask those close to you to be supportive rather than pressuring you to work harder. If you really get stressed, you're being sensible, not a wimp, to talk to friends, see your school counsellor or ring the Samaritans for 24/7 help.

If you are in emotional distress or worried about someone during the exam period or any other time, you can contact Samaritans for confidential, non-judgemental support 24/7 by Telephone on 08457 90 90 90 or Belfast Branch on 02890664422 or Email at jo@samaritans.org or face to face at the Belfast Branch at 5 Wellesley Avenue, just up from Queens University

Read the full press release on how Samaritans are helping with exam stress by clicking here