As most of you will know, I have just taken my GCSE exams and I only have one left now!
What Happened?
At the beginning of the exams, I was all over the place. I could not cope at all with the stress of revision because I felt like expectations of me were very high and I was trying to work as hard as possible to achieve. However, this really took its toll on me. I was working for the majority of the hours I was awake which left no time for me. I could not relax at all and was constantly on edge worrying about what was going to be on the exams and if I would know what to do. It was awful.
Another problem I had was being unable to sleep. My thoughts would be racing with thoughts of what is going to happen but also all of the things I had learnt that day. I just couldn’t switch off. I was then feeling really anxious that I wouldn’t be able to sleep that my heart rate would go up so I couldn’t sleep even more! I had many sleepless nights and did manage to stay awake for around 72 hours before finally sleeping.
I was so anxious before most of my exams that I ended up having panic attacks or crying before almost every exam. I could not cope with the stress and anticipation of having the pressure of taking the exam. I hated the feeling of being stuck in the room, completely trapped and have to take the exam with no way out. Unfortunately, there were also quite a few exams I ended up having panic attacks in, including chemistry, history and English language. I am worried that this will have affected my results and I’m upset with myself for letting it happen.
What did I do?
So, at first I had no idea what to do. I had never been through this experience properly. I did one GCSE in year 9, two more in year 10 and various streams of mock exams which naively lead me into thinking that I knew how to cope.
Firstly, I decided to shut myself away from everyone and everything so that I could solely focus on revision without added stresses of anything else. However, this made me feel totally consumed by the stress so I felt trapped with no way out. It was probably the worst things I could have done because I was allowing myself no time to relax or do things I liked.
I ended up confiding in two teachers because I just did not know what to do. I went to see my chemistry teacher so she could explain something to me but she gave me some questions and I just did not know what to do (I had missed almost all the lessons on this due to my anxiety meaning I could not go in/stay in). I was so worried that that was going to be how I felt in the exam that I began to tense and cry. I then just told her everything that was going on. Her and another teacher who was there at the time managed to console me and make me feel much more confident about the impending exams.
Secondly, I completely broke down to my history teacher. I cried my eyes out and literally told him everything. It was more than just exams that were causing me problems. I told him everything and I felt a huge sense of relief that someone else knew.
Thirdly, I tried to talk to some of my friends about it but this was obviously quite difficult as theywere all in a similar situation but we were all finding it completely different. This mean some of them didn’t quite understand how I was feeling but they were still very supportive especially straight before exams.
I decided that I needed to create a revision timetable which would mean that I could feel more organised and in control. I could prioritise so I would not overwork myself. It meant that I knew what I was doing so I could get as much done as possible and prevent procrastination. It also meant I had more of a routine which also helped me sleep better.
I am annoyed that anxiety and other things that im struggling with have ruined some of my exams for me and I know I will be disappointed on results day. I have worked really hard and I know it probably hasn’t paid off. We shall find out on 20th August!
Phoebe
What Happened?
At the beginning of the exams, I was all over the place. I could not cope at all with the stress of revision because I felt like expectations of me were very high and I was trying to work as hard as possible to achieve. However, this really took its toll on me. I was working for the majority of the hours I was awake which left no time for me. I could not relax at all and was constantly on edge worrying about what was going to be on the exams and if I would know what to do. It was awful.
Another problem I had was being unable to sleep. My thoughts would be racing with thoughts of what is going to happen but also all of the things I had learnt that day. I just couldn’t switch off. I was then feeling really anxious that I wouldn’t be able to sleep that my heart rate would go up so I couldn’t sleep even more! I had many sleepless nights and did manage to stay awake for around 72 hours before finally sleeping.
I was so anxious before most of my exams that I ended up having panic attacks or crying before almost every exam. I could not cope with the stress and anticipation of having the pressure of taking the exam. I hated the feeling of being stuck in the room, completely trapped and have to take the exam with no way out. Unfortunately, there were also quite a few exams I ended up having panic attacks in, including chemistry, history and English language. I am worried that this will have affected my results and I’m upset with myself for letting it happen.
What did I do?
So, at first I had no idea what to do. I had never been through this experience properly. I did one GCSE in year 9, two more in year 10 and various streams of mock exams which naively lead me into thinking that I knew how to cope.
Firstly, I decided to shut myself away from everyone and everything so that I could solely focus on revision without added stresses of anything else. However, this made me feel totally consumed by the stress so I felt trapped with no way out. It was probably the worst things I could have done because I was allowing myself no time to relax or do things I liked.
I ended up confiding in two teachers because I just did not know what to do. I went to see my chemistry teacher so she could explain something to me but she gave me some questions and I just did not know what to do (I had missed almost all the lessons on this due to my anxiety meaning I could not go in/stay in). I was so worried that that was going to be how I felt in the exam that I began to tense and cry. I then just told her everything that was going on. Her and another teacher who was there at the time managed to console me and make me feel much more confident about the impending exams.
Secondly, I completely broke down to my history teacher. I cried my eyes out and literally told him everything. It was more than just exams that were causing me problems. I told him everything and I felt a huge sense of relief that someone else knew.
Thirdly, I tried to talk to some of my friends about it but this was obviously quite difficult as theywere all in a similar situation but we were all finding it completely different. This mean some of them didn’t quite understand how I was feeling but they were still very supportive especially straight before exams.
I decided that I needed to create a revision timetable which would mean that I could feel more organised and in control. I could prioritise so I would not overwork myself. It meant that I knew what I was doing so I could get as much done as possible and prevent procrastination. It also meant I had more of a routine which also helped me sleep better.
I am annoyed that anxiety and other things that im struggling with have ruined some of my exams for me and I know I will be disappointed on results day. I have worked really hard and I know it probably hasn’t paid off. We shall find out on 20th August!
Phoebe