At this point you have already done everything possible to ensure that you succeed in your matric exams. However, there is about a month to get through before you know whether you’ve made the grade and, for some, these next few weeks can be stressful. There are many actions you can take to help manage and reduce stress, including:
- Practicing stress reduction techniques that work for you – the Calm Clinic offers practical advice you may find helpful (www.calmclinic.com/coping-with-covid-19).
- Talking about your fears – your friends are probably experiencing the same anxiety about their exam results and the future and sharing your burden with them may help ease your and their anxiety. If you feel like you need to speak to a professional, please do not hesitate to contact Childline Tollfree on 0800 055 555. Other resources include LifelIne 0861 322 322, and Durban Coastal Mental Health on 031 502 3622 or 033 392 7240/7247 (Pietermartitzburg).
- Thinking about your options – it is advisable to have a plan B in case you do not pass matric, or you do not get accepted into the course that you really want to study. This is the perfect time to consider or refine a plan B to minimise any negative feelings and concerns if you haven’t been successful and to enable you to pursue a different path without delay.