In today’s educational landscape, the pressure to perform well in exams has become a significant concern for young people across Northern Ireland, the UK, and Ireland. Our “Learning, Skills and Work” surveys have captured valuable insights from children and young people about their experiences with academic pressure and its impact on their mental health and well-being.
The Reality of Exam Stress
Our data reveals that exam pressure is the most common barrier to learning faced by young people in their educational journey. While academic expectations have always been part of school life, the intensity and consequences of these pressures are increasing for many students.
How Common is Exam Stress?
Based on our surveys of over 14s, a striking 58.6% of young people identified “too much pressure from exams” as making it difficult for them to learn. Exam pressure is the most frequently cited challenge, significantly higher than other barriers like poor relationships with teachers (36.5%) or bullying (32.5%).
Gender Differences in Academic Pressure
Our survey data highlights notable patterns in how different genders experience academic pressure:
- Female respondents are far more likely to report exam pressure as a barrier to learning, with 67.3% identifying this issue
- Male respondents report lower levels of exam stress at 38.1%, but this still represents a significant proportion
- This marked gender difference (nearly 30 percentage points) suggests targeted support approaches may be needed to address how academic stress affects young people of different genders
The Impact of Academic Pressure
The consequences of excessive exam pressure extend far beyond the classroom, affecting various aspects of young people’s lives. When we look at our Good Health and Wellbeing survey data alongside the Learning, Skills and Work responses, a concerning pattern emerges:
Mental Health Effects
High levels of academic pressure correlate with several mental health challenges:
- Young people aged over 14 frequently report feeling stressed about school/college work
- Students who identify exam pressure as a barrier to learning are more likely to report lower overall mental health ratings
- The cyclical relationship between academic pressure and mental health creates a concerning feedback loop for many young people
Family and Home Issues
Our data suggests the impact of exam pressure often connects with home life:
- 24.1% of young people report “family or home problems” as barriers to learning
- This factor appears more frequently for female respondents (30.9%) than males (13.4%)
- This significant gender disparity suggests different experiences of how home life and academic pressure interact
Education System Preparedness
An important theme emerging from our data concerns how well schools prepare young people for their future:
Preparation for Future Employment
Young people have mixed views about how well their education prepares them for the world of work:
- 59.3% agreed that their education had given them the skills needed to get the job they want
- Significant variations appeared based on community background, ranging from 69.3% (Catholic) to 58.6% (Protestant) and only 38.9% (Other)
- Over a third of all respondents do not feel confident that their education is providing the necessary workplace skills
Bullying and School Relationships
The survey data indicate that school environment factors significantly impact well-being:
- 32.5% of young people identified bullying as making it difficult for them to learn
- 36.5% cited poor relationships with teachers as a barrier
- The combination of exam pressure, bullying, and challenging teacher relationships creates significant obstacles to learning for many young people
What Young People Say Would Help
When asked how they would improve the education system, young people across Northern Ireland offered valuable insights:
- Many called for more practical, skills-based learning alongside academic content
- Respondents frequently mentioned the need for more personalised support with both learning and mental health
- Better preparation for the workplace emerged as a common theme
- More flexible approaches to assessment that reduce the high-stakes nature of examinations was a recurring suggestion
Moving Forward: Supporting Young People’s Educational Journey
The data from our surveys provides a clear picture of the challenges young people face regarding exam pressure and its impacts. As educators, youth workers, parents, and policymakers, we can use these insights to create more supportive educational environments:
For Schools and Teachers
- Recognise the gendered nature of exam stress and provide targeted support
- Develop more balanced assessment approaches that reduce excessive pressure
- Strengthen career guidance to help young people see the relevance of their education
- Improve teacher-student relationships, which our data shows is crucial for learning
For Youth Workers and Community Organisations
- Create spaces where young people can discuss academic pressures without judgment
- Offer programmes that develop life skills alongside academic support
- Advocate for young people’s perspectives to be included in educational policy discussions
- Provide additional career guidance that complements school-based provision
For Parents and Carers
- Be aware of the signs of exam stress and open conversations about academic pressure
- Support balanced approaches to studying that include breaks and wellbeing activities
- Recognise that exam pressure affects different young people in different ways
- Help young people understand that their value isn’t determined by academic results alone
Your Voice Matters
At Voices for Impact, we’re committed to ensuring that young people’s perspectives shape the policies and practices that affect them. The insights gained from our surveys are already informing how we work with partners across Northern Ireland, the UK, and Ireland to create more supportive educational environments.
If you’re aged under 14 or over 14, we want to hear from you! Visit the Voices for Impact website to participate in our surveys and ensure your experiences and ideas are included in our ongoing work to improve support for young people’s education and wellbeing.
For youth workers, teachers, and organisations working with young people, our detailed data and insights can help inform your approach to supporting young people through educational challenges. Contact us to explore how we can work together to create positive change based on what young people tell us.
Together, we can build an education system that prioritises learning and wellbeing equally, preparing young people for successful futures while supporting their present needs.
This article was produced by Voices for Impact, a collaborative initiative between youth organisations across Northern Ireland, Ireland, and the UK working to amplify the voices of young people in decision-making processes. Read more of our blogs at voicesforimpact.ai or bytes.org.