So, this is it – exam time! You might be feeling prepared and ready to go, or stressed and anxious and wanting it all to be over. Either way, it is important to take care of your wellbeing during this time.
With the help of Abi Hall, a QTVI, and some of our lovely LOOK Mentors, we have put together our top tips and resources on dealing with exam stress.
Top tips on dealing with exam stress
- Maintain hobbies for stress relief, it keeps you sane, active and helps you to keep going.
- Hydrate, rest and sleep. These help all aid brain recovery. All night cramming sessions do not help. Keep a bottle of water with you and take sips throughout the day.
- Look forward to exams rather than dreading them. If you can be excited (yes, really!), and look at it as an opportunity it can help you get through them with a positive mindset.
- Make time for yourself. Paths aren’t linear and if you don’t do as well as you like there are opportunities later. Make time for fun. I always found crunchy snacks like carrot sticks and popcorn helped me relax.
- When starting the exam, take a big breath and do your best. If you have issues during the exam, speak to the examination officer afterwards and explain.
- Be aware of strain. Having mechanisms in place to relax is very important, as well as teachers and QTVIs around who understand you and your needs. Use their support!
- Try not to panic when things go wrong. Things may go wrong with modification, but there are always solutions and second chances.
- Prepare for what the exam environment will be like. It is easy to feel isolated during exam times with having to be in a different room. Ask, if you don’t have all the information you need for this,
- Please remember it’s not the ‘be all and end all’. Exam results will not define you. You will find your way with support and guidance plus your own strength and resilience.
- Exams are tiring for everyone, allow for this. One of the best things your parent carers can do is provide the snacks and cups of tea needed. Take them up on their offers, ask them for help, and remember thank them for being there for you!
From all of us at LOOK:
Good luck, and do your best – you’ve got this!
Top tip from LOOK Mentor, Lara: “Make time for yourself. Paths aren’t linear and if you don’t do as well as you like there are opportunities later. Make time for fun and I always found crunchie snacks like carrot sticks and popcorn helped me relax.”
Are you are parent carer of a young person? Click here to watch a recording of our Parent Support Group session on Exam Provision for your blind or partially sighted child.
We know as parent carers that our children can miss out on the opportunities their sighted peers get to help prepare for exams. There is support and advice out there, but it can be frustrating navigating the system and knowing where to go to get adapted past papers, revision books and exams sent in the correct format. Experts Jane Sharp from VIEW, Simon Kerrigan from RNIB, and some fabulous LOOK Mentors share their experience, knowledge, resources and expertise around preparation for exams. Catch up on this session here:
For those of you with more exams ahead next year, read the full article here with tips on preparation and revision:
Thank you to Thomas Pocklington Trust for the photograph featured in this post, and to TPT for your resources and support.
