About the Course
Exams can be a challenging and overwhelming time for many children and young people. This workshop is designed to help participants understand exam stress in a clear, supportive, and age-appropriate way. It explores what stress is, why it occurs—particularly around exams—and how it can affect thoughts, feelings, behaviour, and performance.
The session focuses on building awareness and confidence, helping participants feel more in control and better equipped to manage pressure before, during, and after exams.
What Is Stress?
The workshop begins by exploring what stress is and how it shows up in everyday life. Participants learn that stress is a natural response and not always a negative thing. We look at how the body and brain react to pressure, including common physical signs (such as headaches, tiredness, or a racing heart), emotional responses (such as worry, irritability, or low mood), and behavioural changes (such as avoidance or difficulty concentrating).
Why Do We Get Stressed About Exams?
This section helps participants understand why exams can be particularly stressful. Topics include:
Pressure to perform or meet expectations
Fear of failure or disappointing others
Comparisons with peers
Uncertainty about the future
High workload and time pressures
By normalising these experiences, the workshop helps reduce shame and reassures participants that they are not alone in how they feel.
How Stress Affects Learning and Performance
Participants explore how stress can impact memory, concentration, motivation, and exam performance. The workshop highlights the difference between helpful stress and overwhelming stress, helping participants recognise when stress is becoming unmanageable and when support may be needed.
Strategies to Reduce and Manage Exam Stress
A key focus of the workshop is learning practical, evidence-informed strategies to manage stress. These include:
Recognising early warning signs of stress
Simple grounding and breathing techniques
Managing unhelpful thoughts and worries
Creating realistic revision plans
Improving sleep, routine, and self-care
Knowing when and how to ask for help
Strategies are presented in a practical and accessible way so participants can use them immediately in their daily lives.
Interactive and Supportive Approach
The workshop uses discussion, reflection, and simple activities to encourage engagement and participation. Content is adapted to suit the age and needs of the group and is delivered in a safe, non-judgemental environment.
Outcomes
By the end of the workshop, participants will:
Have a clearer understanding of what stress is and why it happens
Feel reassured that exam stress is common and manageable
Be able to recognise their own stress responses
Have a toolkit of practical strategies to reduce exam-related stress
Feel more confident approaching exams with a balanced mindset
Who Is This Workshop For?
This workshop is suitable for children and young people preparing for exams and can also be adapted for school staff and parents who want to better understand exam stress and how to support young people effectively.
Your Instructor
Adriano
Adriano has extensive experience in training children, young people and professionals, specifically focusing on practical, ethical and developmental informed approaches that translate easily into real world practice.