It’s normal to feel stressed and on edge about exams. Stress is your body’s natural response to pressure. It can help you focus and get things done, but sometimes it can all get a bit much.
Exam stress can affect anyone, and it can show up in loads of ways, like:
If any of these feelings are beginning to take over your life, there is help.
Getting Ready for Results & How Clearing Works (UCAS short film)
Ultimate Guide to Results Day (UCAS)
What to do after results day?
Exam results... including what to do if they’re not what were expected (Family Lives)
Dr Sheila Redfern’s advice on managing stress while waiting for results or to hear about college/university applications, short film from Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families.
Results day stress and mental health, tips and techniques from the Complete University Guide.
A short film from Shout, tips for parents on supporting children ahead of results day by Dr Dominique Thompson.
A recording of Youth Employment UK’s Results Day webinar (August 2023).
Exam results (Childline). Information about results, telling parents, what to do if you’re unhappy with the results and more.
Results day advice, Youth Employment UK. Includes information for students expecting various results (GCSE, IGCSE, A-levels, Btec, T-Levels), tips from teachers and young people, how to support your child on results day, careers ideas and information for anyone not going to university.
GCSE and National Results Day 2024: looking after your mental health, BBC Bitesize. Tips and advice from Dr Radha to make results day as stress free as possible.
Exam results day (Papyrus) (NB: trigger warning, mentions suicide). Anyone who needs some mental health support because of results (or anything else) can get help 24/7 by texting Shout to 85258 or visit the SHOUT website.
Careers (and deciding what to do after exams)
BBC Bitesize careers Includes information about results day, a section for those who don’t know what they want to do, job inspiration, CVs and applying for jobs (scroll down).
National Careers Service; includes skills assessment, exploring careers and finding a course. Complete their online skills assessment tool (10-15mins). It’s possible to speak to an adviser by phone (free) or webchat (includes Exam Results Helpline).
Not going to university? Alternative career routes for school and college leavers.
Complete University Guide (includes FAQs about clearing)
Work it Out
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships, Government site (includes link to resource hub)
University (or delaying it)
UCAS information about results
Clearing guide for parents (UCAS)
Expert clearing advice (The Uni Guide)