New data from an NSPCC survey reveals that 91% of secondary school teachers in England believe their students overly worry that their exam results will determine their future.
The results from a survey of over 5,300 secondary school teachers from the daily survey app Teacher Tapp* also show that 51% think that social media negatively influences how students feel about results day.
The children’s charity is releasing this data ahead of students collecting their A level results (15th August) and GCSE results (22nd August).
Childline, the counselling service run by the NSPCC, knows that results day can be a stressful time for many young people.
Some tell the service’s trained counsellors they are worried about what their future will look like if they don’t get the grades they need to get into their first-choice college or university.
Others share concerns that they’ll disappoint their family, and some struggle with comparing themselves to their friends and say that social media can exacerbate this.
Michelle, aged 20 from London, identified her self-worth with academic success.
This pressure affected her mental health and led her to the point of breakdown when she didn’t get the A levels needed to get into her first-choice university.
She described the summer after taking her exams as the “worst summer to date” and that she was “incredibly anxious on results day.”
Michelle went through clearing and is now studying at another university.
She said: “It took a while for me to get over not achieving the grades I had wanted, and it involved a lot of forgiveness as I was so harsh on myself. It made me realise that you don’t have to go to a certain university to do well. I am kinder to myself, and I know that if it doesn’t work out it’s fine and I have an identity away from education which is something I really wanted to work on. Sometimes you can be so consumed by what you see social media you can lose yourself.”
Every year Childline hears from children who are struggling to cope with worries about their exam results.
Like Michelle, for some young people these worries can have a detrimental impact on their mental health causing anxiety, low mood, stress and a lack of sleep.
Shaun Friel, Childline Director, said: “The exam results period can be an incredibly tough time for young people as they consider their next steps.
“At Childline, we know, it can be hard to not compare, but it is important for young people to be reminded that success is not just measured in academic achievement.
“If their results aren’t what they hoped for, there are always other options available.
“Childline wants any young person feeling worried about their results to know that they don’t need to cope with this alone and that our trained counsellors are here to support them both over the phone and online.”
The players of People’s Postcode Lottery help raise vital funds to ensure the NSPCC’s Childline service can be here every day for children who are struggling with issues such as exam result worries.
Ryan Mackie, deputy head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “It’s not just revising for and taking exams that can be stressful, but results day and the lead up to it can also take its toll – especially if the results then aren’t what you were anticipating.
“I’m really pleased that funding raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery is helping to support NSPCC’s Childline service, which gives young people the chance to discuss their anxieties with trained professionals who can listen, as well as offer advice and perspective.”
