Examinations and the pressures of ongoing coursework seem incredibly intense these days. My son is at University in Newcastle. Its his first term and he is working in the library it seems daily and staying in most nights! He is getting good results but obviously has to work for them. My recall of University was that I rarely stayed in during my first term and I remember noticing a strange building filled with books mid way through the second term… errr the library! How things have changed!
In context of this change I am increasingly seeing referrals of students either at University or the Colleges beforehand who are experiencing stress, anxiety, in particular in relation to exam pressures. Typically the referrals come from concerned parents who are usually funding the work I do.
I have long held the view that we put our youngsters under ridiculous pressure. The constant testing of children by an education service driven by tick box assessment and delivered by suffering teachers who often themselves ‘endure’ rather than celebrate the culture of testing; the eager parents living out their lives through little Sammy’s grades; this awful culture… I could go on! Well we reap what we sow and I am concerned at the pressures I see young people under. It persists into young adulthood and in the modern world of technology where attendance at lectures, presentation of work, and adherence to requirements of a course is monitored ruthlessly… its all about funding folks…! Well the pressure and expectation is immense. Students these days do not have it easy like I did!
Typically I am dealing with anticipatory anxiety. This may be around knowledge itself but more often in this culture of pressure is around one bad experience which has nurtured a ‘fear of fear itself’. Students anticipate panic, they expect to feel overwhelmed ..perhaps beforehand and sometimes actually in the exam context. By working with such clients to help them understand the thought and emotional processes at work and then by equipping them with mind management strategies that work I expect and do see good immediate results. Complementing this approach with hypnotherapy around relaxation techniques and very simple and readily accepted suggestion that alleviates pressure and anxiety one find students typically respond quickly and effectively.
It’s a very interesting area!
Contact me if you have concerns re a son or daughter in this regard, or if you are suffering in the pressure cooker of modern education.