Most people experience pressure, stress and anxiety when it comes to exams. Whilst a certain amount of pressure is good for us and helps us to perform well, it is important to keep some balance and perspective.

To helporganise your revision time, read through the study guide in the Academic Skills Hub on Brightspace - planning ahead will mean you can keep to a sensible schedule. Check your assessment details via Brightspaceto ensure that you know exactly when theyare taking place. Don't feel you have to spend every waking hour studying, revising well means revising wisely and balancing work with exercise and relaxation. The library runthroughout the year-theseare very interactive with lots of opportunities to ask questions - or you can on the website. We've also put together some tips and techniques below to help you to prepare for your exams.

Help yourself prepare for exams

Recognise the symptoms of stress

Stress suppresses your immune system so you're more likely to catch a cold or feel under the weather, which doesn't help your performance in exams. Temporary effects of stressinclude:

  • Lack of concentration
  • Inability to sleep
  • Difficulty in processing information
  • Irritability.

In high levels, stress can lead to mental health problems e.g. depression or anxiety. Check out the LiveWell website for more advice onor our information aboutanxiety andstress.

Sources of support at AV

Most importantly, if you feel that your exam anxiety is building up to a point where sleep is difficult, your health is suffering or your relationships with your friends and family are affected you need to seek some help. Talk to your personal tutor or doctor. Support available on campus includesAchieve@AV team,Student Wellbeing,Faith & Reflectionand. You can also find further information on theHealth & Wellbeingwebpages orread some of our AV student blogs for advice direct from a fellow students:

Free support outside AV

Student Assistance Programme

We’ve teamed up with Health Assured to provide a free confidential helpline and digital resources to help you with any personal or student-related problems. Call the free 24-hour confidential helpline on 0800 028 3766 to speak to an experienced advisor who will offer support in a friendly, non-judgemental manner. You can also contact the service through call back request, email or manned live chat within the ‘My Healthy Advantage’ mobile app, available on or . Visit the Student Assistance Programme page to find out more.

Student Space

Led by Student Minds, the UK’s student mental health charity, provides free, trusted information, tools and services to help you navigate the unique challenges to student life during the coronavirus pandemic. Withdedicated support services for students, by phone or text, email and webchat. They can help with issues aroundmanaging uncertainty, learning online and making friends.

There's also a range of other online support which you might find useful, such as: