Exam stress and how to cope

Hi! I’m a Scottish student in S5 currently sitting 5 Highers and I’m sitting the following, my estimated grades are also below for each subject
A2-Higher Art and Design
B3 (67%)Higher English
A2-Higher Graphic Communication
A2-Higher Mathematics
A2-Higher Physics
For the past couple of weeks I have been revising a lot of content and completing past papers and achieving 75-85%but I’m still suffering with extreme stress as I would like to get a B/A for English and an A for maths and Physics. If anybody has any tips or anything to help me just chill the **** out I would really really appreciate it but I’m worried I just don’t get the results I want or this mental torment effects my summer holidays ☹️

If you're consistently getting A grades in class tests or past paper practice and have been revising this long, then you don't really have any need to worry. You're in a far better position than hundreds of students across the country. Be confident in your ability. Pretty much every top athlete believes in their own abilities to the point of delusion, because if they didn't then they would doubt themselves and underperform. I like to look at exam prep in a similar way. Still put in the work ofc, but just believe that you are the best, tell yourself that you refuse to be beaten. That's what works for me anyways.
Meditation can also be helpful (I'm Buddhist so I would know lol) but it is quite a cliche answer and a lot of people get turned off because of people telling them they ought to meditate and how good it is for them, without actually telling them how to meditate. Look into meditation techniques if you do think that would help your anxiety, check out Ajikan, Samatha, and body scan meditation. There are plenty of guided meditations on YouTube that you could use as well but you have to know where to look to find the folks who know what they're talking about. A lot of snake oil salesman can be found if you don't know what to look for. I could send over some of my favourite guided meditations if you think it would be of use. Good luck on your exams and make sure to look after yourself.

Hey!
Big well done (: It sounds like you’re doing really well and are totally on track to get the results you’re aiming for!
Try to make sure you’re giving yourself regular breaks from the studying too- taking time away from anything academic is just as important as revising. Keeping that balance helps avoid burnout and can actually make your revision more effective. And don’t be afraid to chat with your teachers about anything that’s stressing you out or topics you’re unsure of- they’re there to help and might be able to explain things in a new way or point you to some helpful resources. 😀
As for summer, once exams are over, they’re done! You’ve done your part, and whatever happens, you’ll be able to relax knowing you gave it your all. So try to look forward to the break- you deserve to enjoy it 😊
You've got this!
Emily (:
Official University Of Strathclyde Rep

Hi! I’m a Scottish student in S5 currently sitting 5 Highers and I’m sitting the following, my estimated grades are also below for each subject
A2-Higher Art and Design
B3 (67%)Higher English
A2-Higher Graphic Communication
A2-Higher Mathematics
A2-Higher Physics
For the past couple of weeks I have been revising a lot of content and completing past papers and achieving 75-85%but I’m still suffering with extreme stress as I would like to get a B/A for English and an A for maths and Physics. If anybody has any tips or anything to help me just chill the **** out I would really really appreciate it but I’m worried I just don’t get the results I want or this mental torment effects my summer holidays ☹️

Hi @Earth65 !
First off, you're doing great! You should be proud of the work you are doing and it's clear you work really hard!
It can be so difficult to manage stress around exams and studying. I'm personally having to manage assignment stress, so I get it! My first piece of advice would be to break up studying as much as you can. It can be easy to spend many hours looking at the same thing and this can end up being ineffective in the long run. The best thing to do would be complete your studying and work in shorter spurts and take frequent breaks. This gives you just a bit to clear your mind and I find that once I go back to my work, I feel a good bit calmer about it. It's also ok to take a day off! It's so important to prioritise wellbeing as you do your best when taking care of yourself!
It's completely valid to worry about your results. My approach to this is to completely remove it from my mind once it is done as after that, it is out of my control. Of course, this is easier said than done but I try to catch myself when thoughts about results pop into my head to try and keep a hold of it.
I really hope this helps and good luck!!
Emily
Third Year Creative Writing Student

Hi @Earth65,
It sounds like you’re experiencing academic burnout — you’ve set really high expectations for yourself (which shows how much you care), but it can also pile on the pressure.
As counterintuitive as it sounds, stepping away from your desk now and then is essential. It’s not just a cliché — going for a walk, reading a book, watching TV, or doing anything else you enjoy can properly reset your brain. You’ll come back to studying feeling fresher and more focused. Make sure you’re giving yourself proper breaks — studying 24/7 will only increase the anxiety around achieving your grades.
Also, try not to pull all-nighters or study right before sleep — if your brain is still in ‘study mode’, it’ll be much harder to switch off and get the rest you need.
In terms of study tips, honestly, it sounds like you’re doing all the right things already. Keep trusting your methods — 75–85% on past papers is seriously impressive!
You’ve got this. Wishing you best of luck (and some well-earned rest too)! 🙂
Megan (LJMU Postgraduate Rep)