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Exam Stress Support: Our Young Mentee Shares Their Tips

We know exam season can be one of the most stressful periods for young people. With GCSEs and A-levels on the horizon, students across West Yorkshire are ramping up their revision and the pressure can feel overwhelming.


Recent research by the Mental Health Foundation found that six in ten young people aged 18–24 have felt overwhelmed or unable to cope due to pressure to succeed.


For neurodivergent students, school can sometimes feel especially demanding, whether that’s navigating changing classroom environments, social situations, or expectations that don’t always reflect their needs.


And today, we’d like to tell you the story of one of those young people.



When 16-year-old Mary first started working with us, even leaving the house felt overwhelming. She was finding everyday situations difficult to manage, and building confidence outside of her home felt like a huge step.


Along the way, there have been wobbles, including one in a packed lecture hall, but what matters is that she kept going, and that says everything about her strength.


Fast forward to now, and she’s been tackling cafés, town trips, bus stations, and even college open evenings, step by step, at her own pace.


She’s now looking ahead to college, with her sights set on Health & Social Care, alongside Philosophy and Sociology, and she’s putting everything into her GCSEs.


Mary has come up with her own simple but powerful ways to manage exam stress, and she wanted to share them for others who might be feeling the same way. Here are her tips:


  1. Start early, this helps with overwhelm later.

  2. Talk to your teachers, they will know what you need to focus on to get a higher mark.

  3. Revise the stuff you find hard, not the stuff you find easy, to get more marks.

  4. If you find something easy and your friends find something hard, help each other. One person’s strength is another person’s weakness and vice versa.

  5. Try to be independent, as nobody can help you in the exam itself.


Lydia Fell is one of our wonderful mentors at Northorpe, and she has been supporting Mary through regular 1-2-1 mentoring sessions this year, helping her build confidence step by step. She told us:


“Mary is one of those young people you don’t forget. Seeing her go from finding it difficult to leave the house to now planning her next chapter has been incredible. I’m so proud of how far she’s come.”


“During exam season, young people don’t just need help with revision, they need reassurance, understanding, and space to breathe. Sometimes, knowing someone is in their corner makes all the difference.”


To Mary, and to every young person about to sit their exams, we’re wishing you the very best. Whatever happens next, you’ve already achieved so much and have so much to be proud of.


Parents and carers, if you’re a parent or carer and your young person is struggling with school, exams, or other challenges, we’re here to help.


From counselling and mentoring to a range of supportive services, we may be able to support you and your young person.


Phone: 01924 492183

 
 
 

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