As exam period looms A-level and GCSE students like me begin to revise non-stop as the rest of their future is supposedly dependent on effort and choices today. But how can a 16 or 18 year old make the decisions which shape the rest of their lives before many of them have even learnt to drive?

Is University the best path for everyone to follow? For many years University was considered to be for only the elite but now according to last year’s BBC statistics, it appears to be rite of passage for 49% of sixth form students. Applying to university can be one of the most rewarding but stressful things to do as we find ourselves asking the questions ‘Will I make new friends?’ ‘Will I get the grades?’ ‘How will I pay for it?’ As a 16 year old these dilemmas prove a massive progression immediately from GCSE and can sometimes be very hard to cope with.

However for the students who will go straight from school to get a career or apprenticeships the idea of leaving schooling and going into the ‘real’ world is just as overwhelming.

As a student, I feel the pressure to succeed can sometimes be a daunting prospect as university open days and exams come around so quickly after you complete your GCSE’s. Now more than ever stress is building for young people as grade requirements for University become more competitive. In sixth form we find ourselves asking many questions that have never been proposed to us before and it can be difficult to find the best answer for you. However there is help available, if you ever feel that the pressure is growing the internet is full of useful advice from stress busting yoga to exam tips.
 

Tips to stay calm under exam pressure:
•         Make bright and colourful exam posters or flash cards, the brighter it is the more engaged you will be!
•         Don’t do last minute revision. Before your exam don’t bundle in extra revision as you will not learn anything new and you risk losing what you already know.
•         As hard as it may be keep calm if you panic you will not be able to articulate yourself clearly and risk missing the grade you deserve.

Remember after exams there is a long summer holiday full of fun and relaxation so don’t let the pressure mount!