The emotional support charity said this week that “panic, anxiety, fear about the future, guilt and despair are just some of the feelings students may be going through during the summer examinations period. Anyone wanting to talk in confidence to a trained Samaritans volunteer can contact the charity by phone, email, face to face or through written correspondence”.

Samaritans Schools Consultation Officer, Amanda Edmondson, said that “talking about your feelings puts you back in control and reveals the choices you have”.

Sarah O’Doherty—a clinical psychologist and agony aunt with Kiss Magazine and Newstalk—said that it is “normal to feel anxious about exams, and it’s important to recognize that anxiety and worry can affect how you view everything at the moment”.

“The pressure of exams can sometimes make you lose perspective, so talking to someone completely removed from the situation can help enormously to get you back on track.  Samaritans is there to listen 24/7 however big or small the problem seems, if you feel you need a little help then just pick up the phone.”

Sarah has some top tips to help young people get through the tough exam period:
“Be realistic and honest with yourself about what the outcome will be. You should know what to expect based on school reports and the mocks. Barring a huge disaster or stroke of luck, if you have put in the work, you should come out within your expectations. On the other hand, if haven’t studied, don’t expect miracles.”

She said that making a
Make a study plan study timetable and sticking to it is important.
“A timetable gives a sense of control, as does a list of items to tick off. Never work more than 8 hours in one day, and don’t work for more than 40 minutes without taking a 10 minute break. Relaxation time and meeting with friends should be worked into the timetable,” she added.

She advised students to stay physically healthy, eat well and get plenty of sleep.

“Don’t compare yourself with anyone else—sibling, cousins, friends etc. You are your own person, with your own goals and ambitions. It’s sometimes difficult to keep exams in context; they are not the only reason you go to school, and academic success is only one way of measuring a person. Whatever the outcome of your exams, it does not have to dictate the course of your life; there is always another option.”

Helpful exam websites

There are a range of different internet and other educational resources available to exam students to help them to achieve their goals.

AllHonours.ie has grown to become one of Ireland’s largest online communities for Leaving Cert & Junior Cert students, parents, and teachers.

The site also incorporates the features: AllNews, AllVideos, AllHonours, AllGrinds and AllNotes.

www.examinations.ie is the State Exam Board website full of vital info from past papers to exam timetables.

www.qualifax.ie is a detailed website that looks at CAO choices and third level courses.
www.scoilnet.ie/S_Post_Prim.aspx indexes a lot of useful exam information and is often recommended for its history and geography sections particularly.

For an interactive site that examines all the exam subjects, see www.skoool.ie while
www.leavingcertsolutions.com offers an extensive range of notes, which are available to download for free.

www.examsupport.ie offers download video packs in different subjects for a price or as well as a limited range of good free video downloads.