If you feel you need urgent (non-emergency) mental health support and would like to talk to someone, you can contact the CAMHS Mental Health Helpline - 0800 023 2133
Monday-Friday 5pm-11pm, Weekends & Bank Holidays 9am-11pm. Between 11pm-9am please contact NHS 111, option 2, to access mental health crisis support.
In an emergency: If you or someone else has seriously injured themselves, taken an overdose or are on the point of doing so, call 999 or go directly to A&E.
Exams can feel incredibly stressful. They test what we know and give us a score based on the answers we write down in a short space of time. For many young people, exams can feel overwhelming and full of pressure.
Not everyone finds exams easy. Sitting in a silent room, watching the clock tick, trying to remember everything you revised can make our hearts race, our breathing speed up and our minds panic. Even people who seem calm and confident on the outside may still be feeling nervous inside
The truth is, no one finds every exam easy.
Exams are designed to test knowledge and how we apply information in different situations. But they only measure one small part of who we are. They cannot measure kindness, creativity, determination, humour, courage or the ability to support others through difficult times.
When results day arrives, emotions can be mixed. Some people may open their results and feel proud and excited. Others may feel disappointed, confused or worried because the grades were not what they hoped for. Both reactions are completely understandable.
Schools, teachers, families and even social media can sometimes make it feel like exam results are the most important thing in the world. Because of this, many young people put huge pressure on themselves to succeed. But one set of grades does not decide your future or your worth as a person.
There are countless successful people in business, sport, entertainment and everyday life who did not achieve top grades in school. Many people discover their strengths later in life, through experience, hard work, resilience and finding the path that suits them best.
Your intelligence is not defined by a number or a letter on a piece of paper.
Life is about much more than exam results. Confidence, resilience, life experience, problem-solving skills and the ability to keep going when things are difficult are all incredibly valuable qualities. Often, these are the skills that help people most in the long run.
No matter what results you receive this summer, there will always be a way forward. There are many different paths to achieving your goals and no single route is the “right” one.
So, whether you are celebrating your results or feeling disappointed, try not to lose sight of the bigger picture. Your journey is your own, and success does not look the same for everyone. You still have opportunities ahead of you and your future is far bigger than one results day.
Be proud of yourself for getting through the exams, for showing up and for trying your best. That matters more than you may realise.
Schools, teachers, families and even social media can sometimes make it feel like exam results are the most important thing in the world. Because of this, many young people put huge pressure on themselves to succeed. But one set of grades does not decide your future or your worth as a person.
