Dealing with Anxiety in Year 11
Nov 20, 2025Our children have to cope with a lot of stress these days. Year 11 can be a really stressful time, often with 2 sets of mocks, and then the final exams in the summer. Students all deal with it in different ways. Some revise really hard and don’t give themselves many breaks. Some fall into denial of the work required.
If your child tends to be anxious about exams, read on. Below I have summarised the guidance on the nhs.uk website about how parents can support their children to minimise stress during the exam period.
I hope that you find the information useful. There is a link at the bottom for more information.
Tests and exams can be a challenging part of school life for children and young people and their parents or carers. But there are ways to ease the stress.
Watch for signs of stress
Children and young people who are stressed may:
- worry a lot
- feel tense
- have headaches and stomach pains
- not sleep well
- be irritable
- lose interest in food or eat more than normal
- not enjoy activities they previously enjoyed
- be negative and have a low mood
- feel hopeless about the future
Some things that we as parents can do to help include:
Make sure your child eats well
A balanced diet is vital for your child's health and can help them feel well during exam periods.
Help your child get enough sleep
Good sleep improves thinking and concentration. Most teenagers need 8 to 10 hours' sleep a night.
Be flexible during exams
Be flexible around exam time. When your child is revising all day, do not worry about household jobs left undone or untidy bedrooms.
Help them study
Make sure your child has somewhere comfortable to study. Ask them how you can support them with their revision.
Talk about exam nerves
Remind your child that it's normal to feel anxious. Nervousness is a natural reaction to exams. The key is to put these nerves to positive use.
Encourage exercise during exams
Exercise can help boost energy levels, clear the mind and relieve stress. It does not matter what it is – walking, cycling, swimming, football and dancing are all effective.
Do not add to the pressure
Support group Childline says many children who contact them feel that most pressure at exam time comes from their family.
Make time for treats
With your child, think about rewards for doing revision and getting through each exam.
More information and a link to a useful video can be found here:
