A Level Results Day: How parents can help students cope with anxiety

“Since May, there has been a 400% increase in searches for ‘exam results anxiety’ and an increase of 250% for ‘what to do if I fail my A-Levels’, which has also seen a 600% increase year on year.” (Nido Student Living, Wales Online)

“AS level, A-level and T Level results day will be made public on Thursday, August 17, 2023. GCSE students will find out their results on Thursday, August 24, 2023. Students will also receive results for level 3 VTQs on or before August 17 and will receive results for level 2 VTQs on or before August 24, 2023.” (Evening Standard)

A Level and GCSE results day can be an incredibly stressful time for pupils. The anticipation of receiving exam results that may shape their future academic and career paths can lead to heightened anxiety. The pressure to meet personal expectations, secure university placements, or achieve certain grades to pursue desired careers can intensify stress levels. Intense academic pressure can cultivate a fear of failure, unreasonably high standards and chronic stress, all of which can escalate anxiety and deteriorate mental health.

Additional pressure arises as numerous middle-class British students will face the disadvantage of losing out to international candidates. In an effort to secure funding, universities are raising the ratio of international students, who contribute substantially higher tuition fees. It means that British teenagers who do not attain the required A-level grades for their first-choice course may encounter disappointment when seeking an alternative program through clearing. “It comes amid a rise in the number of international students at British universities, with 679,970 studying in the UK in 2021-22. Undergraduate fees have been capped at £9,250 for domestic students since 2017, whereas there is no limit on fees for international students.” (The Telegraph)

Transitioning to University

“Psychological distress increases on entering university.” (Worsley JD, Harrison P, Corcoran R.) The transition to university represents a significant life change that can usher in a complex array of stress, anxiety, and adjustment difficulties for many individuals. The newfound independence and responsibilities can be both exhilarating and overwhelming, leading to heightened levels of stress.

The shift to a new academic environment, coupled with rigorous coursework and unfamiliar teaching styles, can trigger anxiety as students strive to meet higher expectations. Socially, forming new friendships and navigating a diverse peer group can lead to isolation. Being physically separated from familiar support systems like family and close friends can worsen homesickness and emotional distress. Balancing academic demands with newfound freedoms, managing finances, and adapting to a different routine, all of which can exacerbate the adjustment to the new environment.

What does the research say?

Excessive pressure

“Academic stress is a growing and alarming threat to young people around the world. Research has indicated that adolescents across age groups, genders and cultural contexts are increasingly affected by academic stress.” (Chyu EPY, Chen JK.)

Excessive academic pressure, often fueled by parental, teacher, and self-imposed expectations, can elevate stress and anxiety in students, generating an overwhelming sense of pressure. “Excessive academic pressure is bound to lead to emotional changes in teenagers, which will easily lead to mental illness such as depression in the long run.” (Jiang MM, Gao K, Wu ZY, Guo PP. )

Moderate academic pressure can boost motivation, but excessive pressure can diminish intrinsic motivation. This can cause students to prioritise external rewards (such as grades) over genuine learning interest, leading to reduced well-being and less enjoyment in studies.

Perfectionism and self-criticism:

Academic pressure can lead to perfectionism and self-critique, prompting students to establish unreasonably high standards and feel anxious over minor errors.