Exam Stress Is Starting to Show: What Parents Should Look For
As we move into the final stretch before Easter, something shifts.
Mock results have been returned. Teachers are talking about predicted grades. Revision timetables are being mentioned more seriously. For many students, February is the point where exams stop feeling distant and start feeling real.
For parents, this is often when you begin to notice changes. A shorter temper. Late nights. Avoidance. Or sometimes the opposite, intense overworking.
Exam stress does not always look dramatic. In fact, it is often subtle at first.
Here is what to look for and how to support your child in a calm, constructive way.
1. Small Behaviour Changes
Stress rarely announces itself loudly. Instead, it creeps in through small shifts:
- Irritability over minor issues
- Avoiding conversations about school
- Procrastinating on revision
- Saying “I’m fine” but clearly not meaning it
- Becoming unusually quiet
Teenagers in particular may struggle to articulate anxiety. Instead of saying “I’m worried I’ll fail,” they may say “I can’t be bothered” or “It doesn’t matter anyway.”
Often, this is a protective response. If they convince themselves it does not matter, they do not have to face the fear of not achieving what they hoped.
2. Physical Signs of Stress
Exam anxiety is not just emotional. It shows up physically too.
Look out for:
- Trouble sleeping
- Headaches or stomach aches before school
- Changes in appetite
- Fatigue despite not doing more physical activity
- Frequent illness
When the brain is under prolonged stress, it affects the body. If these symptoms are appearing more frequently as exams approach, it may not be coincidence.
3. Perfectionism or Panic
Not all stress looks like avoidance.
Some students respond by trying to control everything:
- Excessively long revision hours
- Rewriting notes repeatedly
- Refusing breaks
- Becoming upset over small mistakes
While this may look like strong work ethic, it can actually signal fear. These students often tie their self-worth to their grades and feel enormous internal pressure.
Healthy revision includes breaks, flexibility and perspective. If your child seems unable to step away, they may need reassurance, not more pushing.
4. Negative Self-Talk
Listen carefully to the language your child uses.
Phrases like:
- “I’m terrible at maths.”
- “There’s no point, I’ll mess it up anyway.”
- “Everyone else is smarter than me.”
- “I’ve already ruined it.”
These statements reveal a loss of confidence and confidence is often the first casualty of exam stress.
The danger is that once a student believes they cannot do it, their performance begins to reflect that belief.
The good news is that confidence is highly rebuildable with the right support.
5. What Not to Say
When you sense stress rising, it is natural to want to fix it quickly. But certain well-meaning comments can increase pressure:
- “Just work harder.”
- “You need these grades for your future.”
- “Your cousin managed it.”
- “You’ll regret it if you don’t try.”
Even motivational statements can unintentionally amplify fear.
Instead, try:
- “Let’s figure this out together.”
- “What feels hardest right now?”
- “What would make this feel more manageable?”
- “You do not have to handle this alone.”
Often, children do not need solutions immediately. They need reassurance that they are supported regardless of the outcome.
6. Practical Ways to Reduce Exam Anxiety
Here are strategies that genuinely help:
✔ Break revision into small, clear tasks
“Revise science” feels overwhelming.
“Complete five biology exam questions” feels achievable.✔ Focus on exam technique, not just content
Many students know more than they think but lose marks through exam technique. Improving structure, timing and question interpretation often boosts confidence quickly.
✔ Build in rest deliberately
Rest is not laziness. It improves retention and prevents burnout. Encourage short walks, downtime and device breaks.
✔ Shift the focus from grades to progress
Instead of “What grade will you get?” try “What improved this week?”
Progress feels controllable. Final grades often do not.
7. When Extra Support Can Help
Sometimes stress is not about laziness or lack of effort. It is about feeling stuck.
Students often feel calmer when:
- They have a clear plan
- Someone neutral explains difficult concepts
- Weak areas are identified properly
- They experience small academic wins
One-to-one tuition can reduce anxiety not because it adds pressure but because it replaces uncertainty with clarity.
When a student understands what they need to improve and sees that improvement happening, stress naturally decreases.
Many parents tell us that the biggest change is not just grades. It is their child’s confidence and mood.
A Final Thought for Parents
February and March can feel intense. But this period does not have to spiral into panic.
Your child does not need to feel perfect.
They need to feel supported, understood and guided.Exam seasons come and go. The habits, mindset and confidence built during this time last much longer.
If you have started to notice signs of exam stress, whether subtle or obvious, it may be time for a conversation about additional academic support.
If you would like to explore how personalised tuition could help your child feel more confident and prepared in the months ahead, we would love to hear from you.
👉 Get in touch here:
https://newmantuition.co.uk/contact-us/Early support can make all the difference, not just in results but in wellbeing too.