GCSE exam stress: tips?

Hi all,
Obviously from the title, I'm in year 11 and due to take my GCSEs starting May 16th. Recently I've found that a combination of factors - sleep loss, procrastination, having too much to do - has led to chronic stress.
I am taking 11 subjects and a further maths qualification and it's terrifying to think that for two years all I've been doing will go down as a letter after a few combined days' worth of total exam time. I am generally kind of a stressy person but this is getting out of hand. I also have a piano grade 8 exam in April, not to mention am expected to get my predicted grades of 11 A*... I started revising (sort of) (like maybe not) (okay I don't know if it counts but it's more like erratic bursts of work when I get super panicked) but I'm finding that I can barely cope with staying awake enough to revise. Does anyone have any tips? I don't have enough time to take days off school and I really do need sleep, but the stress makes it impossible to sleep well at all. Doc is last resort because I don't think taking meds is a healthy solution to the root issue. I'm dealing with it badly on my own, I resorted to playing hours of MOBAs which is downright the stupidest habit I could have reverted to since it wastes even more time...
Would really appreciate any help at all or even someone else who can relate!

Hi lostpenny.

I'm sorry to hear you are struggling with stress at the moment. The most important thing to know is that there is still time left to go over things and revise - so don't stress too much, 7 weeks is still enough time to revise for exams! Also, yes, sleep is very important (ironically I'm posting this at the worst time!). You need to make sure you get enough sleep so you can wake up feeling refreshed and energetic, if you don't get enough sleep then it will make you tired when it comes to revising. Especially after coming home after school, you just want to sleep! So make sure you get enough sleep! For me, I just drink some coffee when I come home if I'm tired, may not work for you but it works for me personally.

You need to have some discipline around exam season, if you want to get work done, then you can't be playing MOBAs! Resist! I like MOBAs too like League of Legends (great game btw, just loads of salty players ). You can maybe do your revision in short bursts to make it easier by using the Pomodoro Technique, having short breaks in between so that you can't get tempted to go on MOBAs... and if it gets that bad then I would recommend downloading Cold Turkey. If that doesn't work, ask yourself, does the work require electronic devices? If not, don't go on it! Just turn off all electronic devices and get the work done!

If the meds aren't working, then you might want to see the doc because this could only get worse. If you get enough healthy sleep (7 hours the very least) and food in your belly then you should be fine (sometimes just having a walk helps!), but if the stress continues then go and see the doc. I hope this works out for you!

Hi all,
Obviously from the title, I'm in year 11 and due to take my GCSEs starting May 16th. Recently I've found that a combination of factors - sleep loss, procrastination, having too much to do - has led to chronic stress.
I am taking 11 subjects and a further maths qualification and it's terrifying to think that for two years all I've been doing will go down as a letter after a few combined days' worth of total exam time. I am generally kind of a stressy person but this is getting out of hand. I also have a piano grade 8 exam in April, not to mention am expected to get my predicted grades of 11 A*... I started revising (sort of) (like maybe not) (okay I don't know if it counts but it's more like erratic bursts of work when I get super panicked) but I'm finding that I can barely cope with staying awake enough to revise. Does anyone have any tips? I don't have enough time to take days off school and I really do need sleep, but the stress makes it impossible to sleep well at all. Doc is last resort because I don't think taking meds is a healthy solution to the root issue. I'm dealing with it badly on my own, I resorted to playing hours of MOBAs which is downright the stupidest habit I could have reverted to since it wastes even more time...
Would really appreciate any help at all or even someone else who can relate!