Latest news with #LindseyWright
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Expert reveals how to comfort your teens after the 'post-exam emotional slump'
As exam season ends across the UK, many parents expect their teens to come home breathing a sigh of relief, but for some students, the finish line brings a sense of exhaustion. According to Lindsey Wright, who is a child learning specialist and Senior Tutor at leading education platform Tutors Valley, this post-exam emotional slump is far more common than many parents realise and it has both biological and psychological roots. 'A lot of students feel totally lost when the pressure lifts,' Lindsey explains. 'They've been in survival mode for so long and, once it ends, they don't know what to do with themselves. Some even feel guilty for not feeling happier.' While it can be unsettling to see your child experience this emotional dip, the good news it there are things you can do to help them reset. Lindsey revealed parents can help comfort their teens with five easy steps, including letting them sleep in and encouraging them to do some exercise. Meanwhile the expert stressed how important it is to 'praise their efforts' instead of focusing too much on results. She explained: 'The first step is simply recognising and validating how they feel. Let them know it's normal to feel a bit lost or low after a major event like this.' Next, Lindsey warned to avoid rushing to 'fix' the mood or dismissing it with 'you should be happy now' messaging. Instead, listen and let them speak openly. As we know, exercise boosts serotonin, which helps regulate mood, energy and well-being and this can be used to their advantage if feeling low. She said: 'You don't have to send them to the gym. A walk, a bike ride, or even something like swimming can help release stress and improve their mood.' Meanwhile Lindsey revealed that exams often come with significant sleep debt, which can worsen mood, anxiety and cognition. She said: 'Let your teen catch up - but aim for a balanced routine. Short-term catch-up sleep, including naps, can help. But restoring a regular sleep pattern is better for long-term mental health.' Elsewhere she added that students should be encouraged to reconnect with things that brought them joy before revision took over; that might be an old hobby, a creative outlet, or time with friends. Lindsey said: 'Even a small environmental change, like rearranging their room or taking a family day trip can help to mark the transition and take them away from a space they've been associating with stress.' Finally, avoid focusing solely on future results and make sure to praise the effort and resilience they've shown, regardless of what the grades might be. She added: 'Students need to hear that their value isn't tied to exam grades. If they learn that now, it will help protect their mental health far beyond this exam season.' Why some students feel worse after exams Post-exam blues are a well-documented phenomenon but they often catch students and parents off guard. Lindsey points to several causes: Cortisol crash During exam season, the body produces high levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that helps students stay alert and focused. But once the immediate pressure ends, the sudden drop in cortisol can lead to mental fatigue, disrupted sleep cycles, and a general sense of emotional 'crash.' 'It's like the body's been running on adrenaline and now it's empty. We expect a feeling of triumph, but many feel deflated instead.' Burnout from preparation The intense build-up to exams often includes months of revision, a lot of pressure, and possibly some sleep deprivation. This level of sustained stress leaves students physically and mentally exhausted - often too drained to enjoy their freedom. Anxiety about results Even when exams are over, the outcome still looms. Many students become preoccupied with 'what ifs,' worrying about missed questions, imagining worst-case scenarios, or obsessively comparing their performance to others. Perfectionism and self-criticism Students with perfectionist tendencies may find themselves ruminating over every answer, replaying their decisions, and focusing more on perceived mistakes than on the effort they put in. 'We see students who did brilliantly by any standard, but they're upset because they didn't answer one question perfectly'. Peer pressure and comparison culture Even after the exams are done, many students stay locked into competitive thinking. Social media posts and casual conversations about how others felt they did can intensify stress and prevent them from properly relaxing. Cultural and identity pressures In the UK and other academic cultures, achievement is often tied to identity and self-worth. The pressure to succeed can leave students feeling like exam results define their value, whether it's from parents, teachers, peers, or internalised expectations.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The 1 Sign Your Teen Might Need Your Help This Exam Season
If your child is spending hours doom-scrolling on their phones instead of revising, education experts warn it might actually be a silent cry for help. Tutors at leading education platform Tutors Valley said one of the most misunderstood signs of exam stress and anxiety is procrastination. 'Procrastination is a major sign of anxiety,' said Lindsey Wright, senior tutor at Tutors Valley. 'When a child is constantly on their phone or avoiding revision, it's rarely about laziness. Most of the time, they feel completely overwhelmed and don't know where to start.' Wright advised that instead of telling teens off over their phone use, try to help them by breaking down their revision into manageable chunks. Sit down together and create a manageable study plan with small, achievable goals. 'Exam stress isn't always loud or obvious – sometimes it's quiet, avoidant, and easily misread,' she added. Stomach aches, headaches, or trouble sleeping can be symptoms of anxiety, especially if they appear in the run-up to exams. Try to maintain a routine and encourage rest, healthy meals, and open conversations about how they're feeling. Mood swings, snapping over small things, or suddenly becoming quiet can be emotional reactions to stress. Stay patient and offer them a safe space to talk, even if they're not ready right away, advised Wright. Exam anxiety can shake even high-achieving students. If your child starts saying 'I can't do this' or avoiding their favourite subject, it may be a sign they need reassurance or one-on-one support. Catastrophic thinking, like believing one bad mark means everything is ruined, is common in anxious students. Wright urges parents to remind their children that one exam won't define them and that progress matters more than perfection. Why Are UK Teens Among World's Unhappiest? We Asked Them This Is What 'Catches Almost Every Parent Off Guard' When Kids Become Teens Is Buying Jewellery For A Teen's First Period Sweet Or Strange? Nobody Can Agree
