Teens develop easy to understand exam stress guide

Southampton teenagers have created a digital guide to support students during the exam period.

The guide was co-created by a youth panel from the LifeLab programme.

It will help teenagers look after their mental and physical health as they navigate exams. The free and interactive guide is available here.

LifeLab is run in partnership between the University of Southampton, the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre and University Hospital Southampton.

“By young people, for young people”

Six pupils from local schools and colleges met over the course of a school term to create the digital guide.

The panellists pooled their own experiences of exam stress and management with those of their peers. They also received expert advice from LifeLab and the University.

The resource covers topics such as healthy eating, sleeping and time management to help students cope with exam pressure and anxiety.

Youth Panel member Emily took part to ensure young people feel heard. She explained:

"I wanted to make sure that our resource was created by young people, for young people. I'm so pleased that I got to share the voice and opinions of other young people and have the privilege of working with such amazing team members.”

Working with schools and colleges

LifeLab Youth Panels actively involve young people in creating and delivering solutions that could improve their own health and that of their peers. They are employed by the University and paid for their time. A previous panel co-created a Clinical Research magazine promoting pioneering trials in the city.

Esther was proud to be part of the Youth Panel. She said:

“I understand how big and scary exams feel and I can't do anything to change that. But it is important that students look after their mind and body to make sure they feel their best when going into them. This resource will guide them in the right direction to do just that.”

Dr Clare Merivale, Widening Participation Coordinator at the University, worked with LifeLab and the Youth Panel on the exam resource. She said:

“What this Youth Panel has produced is brilliant and such an important tool for their fellow students. Working with young people means the outputs stay true to the vision and words of the young people themselves. They should be very proud.”

She continued: “The LifeLab Youth Panel is an asset to our work with local schools and colleges and gives students a real insight into work at the University and University Hospital Southampton.”