Exam Stress - Revision burnout
GCSE's are coming up, and even though the whole point of this half-term is to not only relax but also revise, I can't seem to even start without tears and a sense of dread and anxiety start to bubble up. My school did 2 sets of mocks within a short time-period, the first mock I revised hard and did well, however ever since that mock in January (?) I've taken my foot off the pedal, and didn't revise at all for my last mocks which the results were obviously disappointing. But as of now, I just can't seem to find my way back up, I'm in this stagnant cycle of, 'I can't do it why try?' I want to do so much better than I did in my last mock, but this overwhelming sense of dread and anxiety is making it impossible. I'm so tired, I just want everything to happen already at this point.
It's so frustrating feeling like I'm the only person I know who can't try and revise, I've had friends share they've somehow managed 12 hours of revision or some will wake up at early hours of the day to get started before school and I wish I could have that motivation but I mentally cannot do it, and I don't know what to do other than wallow in my self pity which is so pathetic this close to the actual thing.
Genuinely, what do I do?
It's so frustrating feeling like I'm the only person I know who can't try and revise, I've had friends share they've somehow managed 12 hours of revision or some will wake up at early hours of the day to get started before school and I wish I could have that motivation but I mentally cannot do it, and I don't know what to do other than wallow in my self pity which is so pathetic this close to the actual thing.
Genuinely, what do I do?
Reply 1
11
I'm y11 too, you need to find a sense of motivation. Like what motivates you to get good grades for the future - do you want to be rich? travel the world? If you think 'I can't do it why try' then you won't do it so just get rid of that mindset and get going. Maybe try think of it as an opportunity - this is your last chance to prove you can do well in subjects which you'll never take again. Also, what are you doing instead of studying - would you value it higher than getting good grades? If it's just being on social media or lying around, then the guilt you feel will get worse and worse until the exams, so may as well try to reduce it now 🙂 sorryy I've not been especially nice and I can appreciate what you're feeling but you've got to start now...
Reply 2
Original post
by Staaa.berryGCSE's are coming up, and even though the whole point of this half-term is to not only relax but also revise, I can't seem to even start without tears and a sense of dread and anxiety start to bubble up. My school did 2 sets of mocks within a short time-period, the first mock I revised hard and did well, however ever since that mock in January (?) I've taken my foot off the pedal, and didn't revise at all for my last mocks which the results were obviously disappointing. But as of now, I just can't seem to find my way back up, I'm in this stagnant cycle of, 'I can't do it why try?' I want to do so much better than I did in my last mock, but this overwhelming sense of dread and anxiety is making it impossible. I'm so tired, I just want everything to happen already at this point.
It's so frustrating feeling like I'm the only person I know who can't try and revise, I've had friends share they've somehow managed 12 hours of revision or some will wake up at early hours of the day to get started before school and I wish I could have that motivation but I mentally cannot do it, and I don't know what to do other than wallow in my self pity which is so pathetic this close to the actual thing.
Genuinely, what do I do?
It's so frustrating feeling like I'm the only person I know who can't try and revise, I've had friends share they've somehow managed 12 hours of revision or some will wake up at early hours of the day to get started before school and I wish I could have that motivation but I mentally cannot do it, and I don't know what to do other than wallow in my self pity which is so pathetic this close to the actual thing.
Genuinely, what do I do?
Honestly just try your best because it’s only 2 months or so then you’re done completely, even if it’s doing 1 past paper anything is better than nothing, instead of feeling guilty and stupid about your mock grades, use them as motivation as a means to know which areas to study. To motivate yourself, try making an exam timetable maybe? And don’t listen to those people doing 12 hours they won’t be able to keep that up long term it’s exhausting and non-sensical, 3 hours is imo a good amount of daily revision.
thread moved
Reply 4
Original post
by Staaa.berryGCSE's are coming up, and even though the whole point of this half-term is to not only relax but also revise, I can't seem to even start without tears and a sense of dread and anxiety start to bubble up. My school did 2 sets of mocks within a short time-period, the first mock I revised hard and did well, however ever since that mock in January (?) I've taken my foot off the pedal, and didn't revise at all for my last mocks which the results were obviously disappointing. But as of now, I just can't seem to find my way back up, I'm in this stagnant cycle of, 'I can't do it why try?' I want to do so much better than I did in my last mock, but this overwhelming sense of dread and anxiety is making it impossible. I'm so tired, I just want everything to happen already at this point.
It's so frustrating feeling like I'm the only person I know who can't try and revise, I've had friends share they've somehow managed 12 hours of revision or some will wake up at early hours of the day to get started before school and I wish I could have that motivation but I mentally cannot do it, and I don't know what to do other than wallow in my self pity which is so pathetic this close to the actual thing.
Genuinely, what do I do?
It's so frustrating feeling like I'm the only person I know who can't try and revise, I've had friends share they've somehow managed 12 hours of revision or some will wake up at early hours of the day to get started before school and I wish I could have that motivation but I mentally cannot do it, and I don't know what to do other than wallow in my self pity which is so pathetic this close to the actual thing.
Genuinely, what do I do?
this is literally me but for alevel year 13 exams. I literally had to delete flora the revision app cuz seeing people revise for 10 hours while i do nothing made me even more demotivated. I hope people respond to ur thread cuz im literally in the same position as u !!!!!!
Reply 5
Original post
by Staaa.berryGCSE's are coming up, and even though the whole point of this half-term is to not only relax but also revise, I can't seem to even start without tears and a sense of dread and anxiety start to bubble up. My school did 2 sets of mocks within a short time-period, the first mock I revised hard and did well, however ever since that mock in January (?) I've taken my foot off the pedal, and didn't revise at all for my last mocks which the results were obviously disappointing. But as of now, I just can't seem to find my way back up, I'm in this stagnant cycle of, 'I can't do it why try?' I want to do so much better than I did in my last mock, but this overwhelming sense of dread and anxiety is making it impossible. I'm so tired, I just want everything to happen already at this point.
It's so frustrating feeling like I'm the only person I know who can't try and revise, I've had friends share they've somehow managed 12 hours of revision or some will wake up at early hours of the day to get started before school and I wish I could have that motivation but I mentally cannot do it, and I don't know what to do other than wallow in my self pity which is so pathetic this close to the actual thing.
Genuinely, what do I do?
It's so frustrating feeling like I'm the only person I know who can't try and revise, I've had friends share they've somehow managed 12 hours of revision or some will wake up at early hours of the day to get started before school and I wish I could have that motivation but I mentally cannot do it, and I don't know what to do other than wallow in my self pity which is so pathetic this close to the actual thing.
Genuinely, what do I do?
It's overwhelming to hear everyone seemingly getting lots more done than you - try not to compare yourself too heavily. Realistically 12 hours straight of studying sounds like too much IMO! Try to focus in really small bursts at first to try and help with the overwhelm - say to yourself "I can do this for 20 minutes", and then break for 15 mins. Keep working in bursts and over time you'll maybe start to gradually build your time/confidence and work for longer. Regular breaks are really important.
I'd also ask your friends if they'll study with you? Even a couple of hours of this might make you feel better - sharing knowledge and quizzing each other can be an effective way of studying. You might find that they're also struggling more than they want to admit (and that really 10 hours of their 12 hours of study was procrastinating!).
Tell yourself you can do this - you've already shown you're capable 🤗 It's definitely within your reach, it's just taking you a bit longer to settle in to your studying routine this time around.
Wishing you loads of luck!! Check back in with us to say how you're getting on 🙂
Caitlin 🎓️
Official University of Strathclyde Rep
(edited 9 months ago)
Hello there!
First of all, you are definitely not alone in feeling like this!
A lot of people are in the same boat but just don't talk about it. Burnout after months of pressure is real, that’s why even starting revision feels like climbing a mountain.
It’s really important to remember that comparing yourself to people who claim they are doing 12 hours a day is not helpful. Everyone works differently, and honestly, quality is way more important than quantity!
Even one hour of proper, focused revision is better than sitting for 6 hours staring at a book and panicking.
You have not lost. You still have time, and the best thing you can do is to start small.
You can just start with revising one topic for 20 minutes, and no pressure. And if you manage that, it is a win. No need to plan 8-hour days or do crazy schedules, just one thing at a time.
You are not pathetic for feeling like this. You must be tired, but you care, and you are a human.
If you just start with tiny steps, such as just opening your notes and reading one page, you will build some momentum.
You don’t have to be a machine to do well!
You have already come so far! Don’t give up now!
You've got this!
I hope this helps!
Kind regards,
Reka - Coventry University Student Ambassador
First of all, you are definitely not alone in feeling like this!
A lot of people are in the same boat but just don't talk about it. Burnout after months of pressure is real, that’s why even starting revision feels like climbing a mountain.
It’s really important to remember that comparing yourself to people who claim they are doing 12 hours a day is not helpful. Everyone works differently, and honestly, quality is way more important than quantity!
Even one hour of proper, focused revision is better than sitting for 6 hours staring at a book and panicking.
You have not lost. You still have time, and the best thing you can do is to start small.
You can just start with revising one topic for 20 minutes, and no pressure. And if you manage that, it is a win. No need to plan 8-hour days or do crazy schedules, just one thing at a time.
You are not pathetic for feeling like this. You must be tired, but you care, and you are a human.
If you just start with tiny steps, such as just opening your notes and reading one page, you will build some momentum.
You don’t have to be a machine to do well!
You have already come so far! Don’t give up now!
You've got this!
I hope this helps!
Kind regards,
Reka - Coventry University Student Ambassador
Reply 7
Original post
by Staaa.berryGCSE's are coming up, and even though the whole point of this half-term is to not only relax but also revise, I can't seem to even start without tears and a sense of dread and anxiety start to bubble up. My school did 2 sets of mocks within a short time-period, the first mock I revised hard and did well, however ever since that mock in January (?) I've taken my foot off the pedal, and didn't revise at all for my last mocks which the results were obviously disappointing. But as of now, I just can't seem to find my way back up, I'm in this stagnant cycle of, 'I can't do it why try?' I want to do so much better than I did in my last mock, but this overwhelming sense of dread and anxiety is making it impossible. I'm so tired, I just want everything to happen already at this point.
It's so frustrating feeling like I'm the only person I know who can't try and revise, I've had friends share they've somehow managed 12 hours of revision or some will wake up at early hours of the day to get started before school and I wish I could have that motivation but I mentally cannot do it, and I don't know what to do other than wallow in my self pity which is so pathetic this close to the actual thing.
Genuinely, what do I do?
It's so frustrating feeling like I'm the only person I know who can't try and revise, I've had friends share they've somehow managed 12 hours of revision or some will wake up at early hours of the day to get started before school and I wish I could have that motivation but I mentally cannot do it, and I don't know what to do other than wallow in my self pity which is so pathetic this close to the actual thing.
Genuinely, what do I do?
HI @Staaa.berry,
The way you're feeling is something so many people go through, especially when you're this close to your GCSEs and everything suddenly feels like it matters more than ever. It can get exhausting, mentally and emotionally, and it's completely understandable that it's making it hard to even start.
What you said about working hard for your first mocks and then feeling burnt out afterwards makes a lot of sense. It’s not laziness, and it’s not that you’re incapable, it’s probably a sign that you’ve been pushing yourself hard for a long time and your mind is just overwhelmed. And about your friends, I know it’s easy to feel like everyone else is somehow pulling it together while you’re crumbling, but please don’t take what they say at face value. People talk about the extreme stuff, waking up at 5am or revising for 12 hours, but that’s not the full picture. Most of them are struggling in their own ways too. You don’t need to be a revision machine to succeed. You just need to find a way to take small, manageable steps that work for you.
Right now, I think you need to give yourself permission to start small. Like, really small. Not “revise all of science,” but maybe just watching a five-minute video or doing a couple of questions from a past paper. You don’t need a miracle overnight. You just need to break the cycle, even just doing one thing can be a win. From there, you might feel a little spark of momentum. But even if not, that one thing still matters.
I also want to say this: you’ve done it before. You revised hard and you did well. You’re not alone in this, and there’s still time to turn things around. Honestly, one good week of focused revision can change your whole outlook.
I'm rooting for you!
Danish
BCU Student Rep
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