Supporting Your Child Through Exam Season

Exam time can be a stressful period for young people. They’re trying to manage revision, perform well, and think about their future – all while balancing everything else going on in their lives. It’s completely normal for this to bring up feelings of anxiety, stress, self-doubt and worry about the future.

As a parent or carer, it can sometimes be hard to know how best to help. You may want to encourage your child, but also give them space. You may want to keep things in perspective, without dismissing how they feel.

This page offers practical ideas for supporting your child during exam season, and signposts you to further help if you’re worried about their mental health.

How your child might be feeling

Exam time can feel intense. Your child may be:

Worried about failing or disappointing others
Stressed about how much work there is to do
Finding it hard to concentrate, remember things or sleep well
More withdrawn, irritable or tearful than usual
Comparing themselves to friends or siblings
Seeming unmotivated, “lazy” or disinterested in their studies

These feelings are very common. Rather than telling them to “just get on with it”, it can help to:

Ask how they’re feeling and really listen
Acknowledge how much effort they’re putting in
Reassure them that their worth is not defined by exam results

Sometimes, simply sitting nearby while they revise, making them a drink, or checking in gently can make a big difference.

Impact on the whole family

Exam stress doesn’t only affect the young person taking exams – it can affect the whole household.

You might notice:

Increased tension – little disagreements escalate more easily
Changes in routine – mealtimes, bedtimes and activities shift around exams
Changes in mood – everyone feeling a bit more on edge or emotional
Uneven attention – siblings feeling left out when lots of focus is on one child
Parental stress – worrying about your child’s wellbeing, revision and logistics
Less downtime – fewer fun, relaxing activities as revision takes centre stage

Talking openly as a family about how everyone is feeling – including siblings – can help reduce misunderstandings and resentment.

Creating a supportive home environment

Parents and carers often say that getting the basics right makes the biggest difference:

Food

Regular, balanced meals and snacks help with energy and concentration. Try to keep blood sugar stable by avoiding long gaps without food.

Sleep

Where possible, support a consistent bedtime and wake-up time. Sleep is crucial for memory, mood and coping with stress.

Environment

A calm, organised space to revise can help them focus. This doesn’t need to be perfect – just somewhere reasonably quiet and free from too many distractions.

Breaks

Encourage short breaks, time outside, or a change of activity. Constant revision without rest can increase stress and reduce how much they actually absorb.

You might also find it helpful to:

Focus on routine rather than pressure – help them build a realistic, structured revision plan
Step back from constant checking – show that you trust them, while still being available to help
Model calm behaviour – your tone and pace can help set the mood in the house
Prepare for wobbles – when motivation dips, a snack, chat or bit of humour usually works better than a lecture

Working with school

School has an important role in supporting students’ wellbeing during exams.

If you are worried about your child’s mental health, please get in touch with us so we can work together. Depending on need, schools can sometimes:

Arrange a quiet space for students who feel overwhelmed
Offer exam access arrangements (for example, extra time or rest breaks – where appropriate)
Provide pastoral support, mentoring, or signpost to counselling and mental health services
Help with a plan for returning after time off due to mental health difficulties

If you’re unsure who to contact, please start with your child’s form tutor / head of year / pastoral team.

When exam results don’t go to plan

Even when a young person works hard, results might not be what they hoped for. This can lead to disappointment, shame, or fear about the future.

How adults respond in the first few days can really shape how they cope.

Try to:

Respond, not react – take a breath before you speak
Acknowledge their feelings – “I can see you’re really disappointed”
Reassure them you’re proud of them as a person, not just their grades
Avoid comparisons with friends, siblings or your own past results
Check in before sharing results with wider family or on social media

After the initial emotions have calmed, you can:

Keep routines steady – regular meals, sleep and everyday activities
Offer perspective – remind them that exams are one part of a much bigger picture
Explore next steps together – resits, different courses, vocational routes or other pathways

If low mood, anxiety or withdrawal continue over time, please speak to school and/or your GP.

Spotting signs of a mental health crisis

Exam stress is common, but for some young people it can tip into more serious mental health difficulties.

Seek urgent help if you notice:

Talk about feeling hopeless, trapped or like a burden
Self-harm, or looking for ways to self-harm
Major changes in mood, appetite or sleep
Withdrawing completely from friends, family or usual activities
Intense agitation, anger or distress
Comments about wanting to disappear or not wanting to live

If you are worried your child is at immediate risk of harm, contact emergency services (999) or go to your nearest A&E.

Where to get further help

The organisations below offer information, advice and support. Always check each website to understand who they are and what they provide.

YoungMinds – Parents Helpline
Information, advice and emotional support for parents worried about a child’s mental health.
0808 802 5544
YoungMinds Parents Helpline

Exam Results Helpline / National Careers Service
Provides information, advice and guidance to help young people make decisions about learning, training and work.
0800 100 900
National Careers Service

Student Minds / Student Space
Support for students with their mental health at university and information about support available through universities.
Student Minds Student Space

Not Fine in School
Parent- and carer-led organisation offering information and resources for families whose children struggle with attending school.
Not Fine in School

You can find a more detailed guide to supporting your child through exam stress on the YoungMinds website:

Exam Time & Exam Stress | Parents Guide To Support | YoungMinds