Exam results advice with MHST

We recently caught up with our Mental Health Support Team (MHST) to see what advice they had for those getting their GCSE and A Level results this year. Below, you can read more from Jim and Annie.

It’s exam results time for a lot of young people and we know that this can be a worrying time for some, especially if you don’t get the outcome you were expecting.  The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone and there are people around you who can help.  If you do feel anxious, stressed or down about your exam results the best thing to do is let someone know.  This can be a family member, friend, teacher or trusted adult and telling someone how we are feeling is the first, important step in getting help. 

Validating our thoughts and feelings around exam results is also helpful as it is natural to feeling anxious, stressed or down if the results have not gone our way.  Once someone knows how you are feeling you can start to work on some solutions, which will hopefully reduce the intensity of those feelings.  You may need to take a bit of time to process how you are feeling before you let someone know, and when you are ready reach out and seek support, as you are not alone.

Jim: Senior Wellbeing Practitioner, Mental Health Support Team  (MHST)  

The run-up to exam results and the day itself can bring mixed feelings. You may notice feelings of relief that it is over, anticipation, excitement, or worry. It is completely normal to experience this range of emotions, especially as exams and revision take up a considerable amount of time and effort. You may particularly notice feelings of worry, and it is important to know that you are not alone. Many of your peers will be experiencing similar feelings, even if it does not seem that way.

If you notice that these worries or other difficult feelings are causing you distress or leaving you feeling overwhelmed, a good first step is to reach out to someone you trust. This could be a friend, parent, carer, teacher, or family member. Sharing how you are feeling can often help reduce the intensity of these emotions. Remember that even if your results are not what you hoped for or expected, there is always support available to help you, both in and out of school or college.

It is important to take time to celebrate your hard work and achievements, regardless of the outcome, while also allowing yourself space to process and validate how you feel.

There is lots of great support available to help you, whatever your next step may be. Take your time and be kind to yourself.

Annie: Specialist Practitioner and Supervisor, Mental Health Support Team (MHST)

Results day can look different for everyone – some may be pleased with their grades and are able to go on to do what they had planned to do, whereas others may feel disappointed and are now feeling uncertain about the future. This can naturally cause anxiety and worry in young people – this is completely normal.

If this sounds like you, something that can help is a little compassion: 

1. Acknowledge your feelings – allow yourself to feel the way that you do and don’t judge yourself for it.
2. Remember that you are likely to not be alone in your feelings – exams are something that most people go through in their life and lots of people have felt disappointed with their results.
3. Consider what you would say to a friend who is in the same position as you – would you be as hard on them as you might be on yourself?
4. Regardless of your results, consider celebrating – you have worked so hard during this time and you deserve to acknowledge all the effort you have put in to your exams.

Whilst your exam results feel super important right now, they don’t define who you are or your worth. They’re just a small step in your journey. 

Becky: Education Mental Health Practitioner, Mental Health Support Team (MHST) for Schools