As exam season ends across the UK, many parents expect their teens to come home breathing a sigh of relief, but for some students, the finish line brings a sense of exhaustion.
According to Lindsey Wright, who is a child learning specialist and Senior Tutor at leading education platform Tutors Valley, this post-exam emotional slump is far more common than many parents realise and it has both biological and psychological roots.
‘A lot of students feel totally lost when the pressure lifts,’ Lindsey explains. ‘They’ve been in survival mode for so long and, once it ends, they don’t know what to do with themselves. Some even feel guilty for not feeling happier.’
While it can be unsettling to see your child experience this emotional dip, the good news it there are things you can do to help them reset.
Lindsey revealed parents can help comfort their teens with five easy steps, including letting them sleep in and encouraging them to do some exercise.
Meanwhile the expert stressed how important it is to ‘praise their efforts’ instead of focusing too much on results.
She explained: ‘The first step is simply recognising and validating how they feel. Let them know it’s normal to feel a bit lost or low after a major event like this.’
Next, Lindsey warned to avoid rushing to ‘fix’ the mood or dismissing it with ‘you should be happy now’ messaging. Instead, listen and let them speak openly.
Lindsey Wright, who is a child learning specialist and Senior Tutor at leading education platform Tutors Valley, claimed the post-exam emotional slump is far more common than many parents realise and it has both biological and psychological roots (stock image)
As we know, exercise boosts serotonin, which helps regulate mood, energy and well-being and this can be used to their advantage if feeling low.
She said: ‘You don’t have to send them to the gym. A walk, a bike ride, or even something like swimming can help release stress and improve their mood.’
Meanwhile Lindsey revealed that exams often come with significant sleep debt, which can worsen mood, anxiety and cognition.
She said: ‘Let your teen catch up – but aim for a balanced routine. Short-term catch-up sleep, including naps, can help. But restoring a regular sleep pattern is better for long-term mental health.’
Elsewhere she added that students should be encouraged to reconnect with things that brought them joy before revision took over; that might be an old hobby, a creative outlet, or time with friends.
Lindsey said: ‘Even a small environmental change, like rearranging their room or taking a family day trip can help to mark the transition and take them away from a space they’ve been associating with stress.’
Finally, avoid focusing solely on future results and make sure to praise the effort and resilience they’ve shown, regardless of what the grades might be.
She added: ‘Students need to hear that their value isn’t tied to exam grades. If they learn that now, it will help protect their mental health far beyond this exam season.’
Post-exam blues are a well-documented phenomenon but they often catch students and parents off guard (stock image)
