'I Feel This Panic In My Chest': Even Young Children Are Calling Childline With Exam Stress

It probably won’t come as a surprise that May is the peak season for children to call Childline about exam stress.

Between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026; the free, confidential service for kids delivered 1,679 counselling sessions where exam or revision stress was mentioned. 

These sessions peaked in May, coinciding with the start of exam season. There were 359 counselling sessions about exam stress in May 2025, making up 21% of all counselling sessions about the topic.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, GCSEs start in early May, while AS and A Level exams take place from mid-May into June. In Scotland; National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher exams are already underway, finishing on 1 June. 

The majority of concerns about exam stress were from children aged 12-18 years old, however younger students are also impacted, with 11% of contacts coming from children aged 11 and under. 

One young person, aged 16, told the service:  “If I’m not revising for exams, I feel this panic in my chest, but the panic also stops me focusing on the revision when I try and do it.”

Another 16-year-old girl said they have plans for their future, but have completely lost motivation to revise. “I have no idea why, my friends are trying to help get me back on track but I’m so overwhelmed,” they said. 

A 15-year-old boy said when they list everything they need to revise, they get “immediately” overwhelmed. “My parents don’t get why I’m so stressed but also aren’t helping me. I need someone to tell me where to even start,” they explained. 

Which themes are emerging when children seek support for exam stress?

Here are the common themes Childine counsellors identified:

• Young people are putting pressure on themselves to do well.  

• Young people are struggling to balance revision and other life pressures, like caring responsibilities or housing issues.  

• They are feeling pressure from parents, family members and teachers.

• They feel they have to miss out on friends, hobbies and relationships due to revision and exam pressures.  

• They struggle with knowing how to revise and where to get information on how to do this. 

• The stress and worry of upcoming exams makes it hard to focus on revision.  

• They are losing sleep over revision, exams and the idea of failing. 

• They are feeling upset that some subjects are harder for them than others.  

• They are comparing themselves with friends in regards to how well they’re doing in class/mock exams and how much revision they’re doing.  

• They are losing motivation to revise or confidence around exams based on comments from teachers and friends that they won’t do well.  

• They are feeling hopeless about the future if they don’t do well in exams.  

• Their parents and teachers are being dismissive about exam stress.  

Childline Service Head, Cormac Nolan, noted many children feel guilty about taking breaks and worry about letting people down if they don’t achieve the results they hope for.

“We want to remind young people that no matter what happens, exam results do not define worth or future prospects,” Nolan said, adding that Childline is available 24/7 to support any child who may be struggling.

How can parents support kids through exam season?

• Reassure your child that you are here to support them.   

• Talk to them over text or on the phone if they don’t feel able to talk in person.   

• Recognise that their feelings are valid and let them know it’s OK for them to be honest about what they’re feeling.   

• Help them think of healthy ways to cope. You could try things like yoga, breathing exercises or mindfulness together.   

• Help your child maintain perspective about their exams. Remind them that while it’s important to try their best, their self-worth isn’t defined by their grades.  

Help and support:

• Childline - free and confidential support for young people in the UK - 0800 1111