20-05-2025
The 1 Sign Your Teen Might Need Your Help This Exam Season
If your child is spending hours doom-scrolling on their phones instead of revising, education experts warn it might actually be a silent cry for help.
Tutors at leading education platform Tutors Valley said one of the most misunderstood signs of exam stress and anxiety is procrastination.
'Procrastination is a major sign of anxiety,' said Lindsey Wright, senior tutor at Tutors Valley.
'When a child is constantly on their phone or avoiding revision, it's rarely about laziness. Most of the time, they feel completely overwhelmed and don't know where to start.'
Wright advised that instead of telling teens off over their phone use, try to help them by breaking down their revision into manageable chunks.
Sit down together and create a manageable study plan with small, achievable goals.
'Exam stress isn't always loud or obvious – sometimes it's quiet, avoidant, and easily misread,' she added.
Stomach aches, headaches, or trouble sleeping can be symptoms of anxiety, especially if they appear in the run-up to exams.
Try to maintain a routine and encourage rest, healthy meals, and open conversations about how they're feeling.
Mood swings, snapping over small things, or suddenly becoming quiet can be emotional reactions to stress. Stay patient and offer them a safe space to talk, even if they're not ready right away, advised Wright.
Exam anxiety can shake even high-achieving students. If your child starts saying 'I can't do this' or avoiding their favourite subject, it may be a sign they need reassurance or one-on-one support.
Catastrophic thinking, like believing one bad mark means everything is ruined, is common in anxious students. Wright urges parents to remind their children that one exam won't define them and that progress matters more than perfection.
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