EXAM STRESS – Exam Buddy App The SHARE Project EXAM STRESS – Exam Buddy App

Exam Buddy App Tips & Advice for managing stress Signs & symptoms of stress Revision tips & tricks Exam Buddy App Name your app & design a logo Places for support Video to generally get students thinking about all the aspect of exams BBC brainsmart: https://youtu.be/hnpQrMqDoqE A clip introducing exams, stress and coping strategies https://youtu.be/uQxYCEX-gRo

How do you feel about exam stress? Do you know how to spot when you’re stressed? Can you think of ways to relax and de- stress? Would you say you're confident about revising for exams? How do you feel about exam stress – pick an emoji, green yellow, red cards Confidence line? Not at all confident at one end and completely confident at the other

Signs & Symptoms of Stress What a person might think or say when stressed? (head) What are the physical symptoms a person might experience? (body) GET IN TO GROUPS Resources: provide chart paper or person outline First step towards managing stress is recognising the signs (what someone else might be able to see) and symptoms (what the person experiences). Students should get into their groups and complete a ‘head and body’ diagram by labelling a body outline with… FEEDBACK Ask student to create master list on whiteboard or flip chart Emphasise that we are all different, everyone experiences stress differently so we all need different coping strategies.

Signs and symptoms of stress Difficulty sleeping or waking up Constant tiredness Forgetfulness Unexplained aches and pains Poor appetite Loss of interest in activities Increased heart rate Migraines/headaches Blurred vision and/or dizziness Comfort eating Drinking too much caffeine Feeling run down

The science behind Managing exam stress Reminder that stress is natural and normal – and needed. But we need to manage it so that our stress levels don’t get too high. Alternative video… BBC radio 1: https://youtu.be/7AgswlakjRw BBC brain smart https://youtu.be/-RZ86OB9hw4

Tips and advice database The app needs a database of tips and advice for managing exam stress. You might want to break it up into sections: Before the Exam During the Exam After the exam. Need some extra help? Use resources on your tables Browse websites Ask a member of staff Emphasise to students the importance of talking to a trusted person if they are experiencing stress. They can talk to teachers, tutors, parents, siblings, friends or classmates. It is important to get help and not suffer in silence. Some ideas: Slow breathing Exercise Sleep Socialising

Revision Tips & Tricks Start early - Make a time table! You don’t have to spend time making your note look pretty. Take breaks Sticks revision notes around your house. Don’t just read your notes! Do something with them. Practice questions with past papers Don’t turn into a revision zombie – make time for things you enjoy! Optional extra section of the app

Places you can go for support riseabove.org.uk (videos and advice about dealing with exam stress) themix.org.uk (Free phone helpline and 1 to 1 chat. Advice pages about exam pressure) childline.org.uk (Videos and advice about coping with exams. Free phone helpline) BBC bitesize (Subject support to help with revision) www.samaritans.org/education/deal/coping- strategies/exam-stress (Advice on exam stress) Where else could people go for support? Friends, teacher, parents/carers… Additional videos http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z9py97h (Revision: how to get started) http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/zsvcqhv (Exams: how to minimise stress)

Features and Functionality What other features or functions would you like your app to have? Message boards? Forums?

Name your app & Design a logo

Present your App Presenting your app Exam Buddy Groups to take it in turns to present their finished app Present your App

How do you feel about exam stress? Do you know how to spot when you’re stressed? Can you think of ways to relax and de- stress? Would you say you're confident about revising for exams? How do you feel about exam stress – pick an emoji, green yellow, red cards Confidence line? Not at all confident at one end and completely confident at the other

I Can… If someone I know is stressing about planning their revision I can… If I can see someone who needs to take a break from revising and relax, I can… If my friend gets stressed in the middle of an exam, I would advise them to…