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

2. 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:
A clip introducing exams, stress and coping strategies

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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:
BBC brain smart

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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)
strategies/exam-stress (Advice on exam stress)
Where else could people go for support?
Friends, teacher, parents/carers…
Additional videos
(Revision: how to get started)
(Exams: how to minimise stress)

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

11. Name your app & Design a logo

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

13. 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

14. 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…