VCE exam stress: How to help your child deal with exam pressure

EXAMS are tough, but a Headspace expert warns they might be the tip of the iceberg for already stressed out VCE students. Here’s how to help if you think your child is suffering.

YEAR 12 can be a highly stressful time for students, with many experiencing increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression.

This pressure to perform — which is often underpinned by a belief that their whole future will be ruined if they don’t — can wreak havoc on already highly-strung students.

MORE: EXPERT ADVISES HOW TO HANDLE STRESS OF VCE EXAMS

According to beyondblue, one in seven young Australians (4-17 years old) experienced a mental health condition between 2013-14, and one in 14 experienced an anxiety disorder in 2015.

Also, alarmingly, Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that in 2016, suicide was the leading cause of death of children aged five to 17, claiming more young lives than car accidents.

With exam week looming, Headspace head of clinical practise, Vikki Ryall, says the pressure of VCE can aggravate students’ already existing mental health problems, which often get overlooked.

For some students, the pressure of VCE can have long-lasting mental health impacts, even after the school year is finished. Picture: iStock

This pressure peaks around exams — the final hurdle — with many students suffering from depression and panic attacks as the increasing tension becomes too much to manage.

MORE: 10 SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS

Ms Ryall, who has a background in social work, advises parents to monitor their child’s behaviour to make sure the pressure isn’t exacerbating other, more serious, mental health issues.

“Sometimes there is a straw-that-broke-the-camel’s-back kind of thing — such as a relationship breakup, bullying, arguments with friends — that pushes (a student) over the edge,” she says.

“Other times, it might be that, for whatever reason, the exam stress period is much more difficult to manage. This increased stress and anxiety tends to exacerbate existing difficulties and might even tip over into something more long-lasting.

Some stress is normal — but too much stress is never healthy.

While some level of stress is expected around these kinds of important live events, Ms Ryall, says too much stress can have long-term implications if not managed properly and suggests parents have open conversations with their child if they suspect the issue is more than just exam jitters.

MORE: EXAM STUDY TIPS AND TRICKS

But it’s not all bad new for VCE students. Nail-biting students can take solace in the fact that not all stress is bad and sometimes those butterflies in the tummy can actually help, rather than hinder, VCE results.

“There are a whole range of life experiences that cause us to feel more anxious,” Ms Ryall says. “Some kinds of stress are necessary — such as the nerves you might feel before public speaking. That anxiety is normal and, up to a certain point, can actually improve performance.”

Think your child might be suffering from more than just pre-exam jitters? Don’t ignore the issue; start a conversation as soon as you notice something is off. Picture: iStock

HOW TO HELP

1. Talk to them

Parents generally know their children better than anyone but, sometimes, when they’re worried about them, they forget that or lose confidence.

“We like to encourage parents that they know their young people,” Ms Ryall says. “They will have sen their young person in stressful situations before so it looks different, it’s worth having a conversation.”

2. Accept if they don’t want to

“Sometimes, you might not be the best person for them to talk to,” Ms Ryall says. “In this instance, let them know they can talk to you but if they would prefer not to, provide them with other options — perhaps a school counsellor, aunt, uncle, family friend or whoever is going to help them feel comfortable.”

3. Pre-empt

“Think pre-empitevely with young people in the lead-up to exams. Ask them: ‘What do we need to do as a family that will help ease the load?’. Bring them into the conversation so that they feel supported. This might mean there is an adjustment of responsibilities in order to ease the load.

4. Plan

Make sure they have a good place to study — preferably outside the bedroom, that they are eating well, taking breaks and exercising. For some people, scheduling is really effective, for others it’s not so easy. This is your chance to say, ‘How much time needs to be spend studying?’ and help them achieve that.

5. Do whatever works for you and your family

Have open conversations. Young people don’t always know what they need. Sometimes you have to reverse engineer it and find out what’s unhelpful so that you can figure out what is helpful.

Learn from past experience.

*If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 131 114, beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800. For more information on mental health and treatment options, visit beyondblue, Black Dog Institute, Lifeline, RUOK or Headspace.