School life can be fun and exiting. Schools encourage children and young people to learn and develop skills whether social, academic or work related. However, it can also be a stressful and upsetting process for some, due to bullying, difficulties with home work and exams. Experiencing difficulties such as these can often leave children feeling sad, anxious and angry. You may feel that you do not want to go back to school but remember that you are not alone and that there are ways in which these problems can be solved.



There are many ways to help you cope with the stress that school life may create. For example, if you are having difficulties understanding a subject or what it is that you are supposed to do for homework, always ask your teacher to go through instructions a second time. It may be embarrassing to ask a teacher a second time in front of your peers, so speak to them in private and explain what it is that you are having difficulty with. If you feel anxious about exams, don't leave it to the last minute. Make sure that you start revising well in advance, devise a revision timetable and take notes on important points when revising. Eating a healthy balanced diet and getting lots of sleep, especially the night before an exam is very helpful.

If you are being bullied, make sure that you report the incidents to a teacher or parent so it is dealt with appropriately. Schools now have an anti bullying policy so that teachers, pupils and parents work together to stop this unacceptable behaviour. Don't suffer in silence. It is normal to feel embarrassed and upset about it, but always remember that you are not alone and also talk to someone for advice and support.