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CareersPortal is Ireland's leading Careers Guidance website. It is a one-stop-shop for people of all ages who need information and guidance regarding their next career decision.

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CareersPortal is Ireland's leading Careers Guidance website. It is a one-stop-shop for people of all ages who need information and guidance regarding their next career decision.

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Mental health awareness online course for parents | Jigsaw.ie

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The aim of this 40 minute course for parents or guardians of primary or secondary school students (+12 years) is to raise awareness about youth mental health and identify ways to promote and support youth mental health. It also highlights how we can be ' One Good Adults ' for the young people in our lives.

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Belong To LGBTQ+ Summer Project

Join other LGBTQ+ young people from 14-23 years old this summer for a series of free events and activities. Throughout July and August, Belong To will host workshops, events and activities in Dublin City Centre, including: Have fun, meet other young LGBTQ+ people and develop your skills from theatre to sport. All events will be

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Homepage - Belong To - LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland

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Support for LGBTI+ youth. Our personal support services include an informal one-on-one chat service, professional counselling and a drugs and alcohol support service.

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Stress levels can be higher than usual around exam time. A bit of stress can help you to stay motivated and focused. But too much can be unhelpful.

Exam stress can be overwhelming. It can confuse and exhaust you. Having to revise a lot of information in a short space of time can be stressful. Not understanding course material may also add to your stress.

If it all seems to be getting on top of you, there are things you can do to keep calm.

Keep a routine and take regular breaks

It's important to have regular study breaks and make time for relaxation and exercise.

Practising mindfulness helps you focus on what's happening right at this moment.

Going for a walk, run, or to the gym is a great way to clear your head and can help you focus.

Watching your favourite TV show or going to the cinema are also good ways to take a break from studying.
Stress - tips and self-help Physical activity and mental health
Limit caffeine

Caffeine and energy drinks can give you a quick lift. But they're not good for you in the long term.

They can make you feel sick and can interfere with your sleep and your ability to concentrate.

Manage expectations

Pressure from other people around exams can be huge. This can be hard to deal with, especially from family and teachers. You need to remember that it's your life and your exam, with you in control.

Tips to help you manage expectations

Stressful situations may cause you to worry too much and imagine the worst possible outcome. Base expectations on your past performance and doing the best you can.

Put the exam in context. In the overall scheme of things, how important is it?

Tell people what you realistically expect from your exams. Talk to them and find out what they hope for you. Tell them what you are thinking and feeling.

Use the expectations of yourself and others to help you study.

Ask for and accept support from those around you, especially family members.

If exams do not go as well as you hoped, there are always alternatives. It does not mean you are a success or failure.

Exams cannot measure these sorts of things. All they measure is how well you do on the day.

Look after yourself

It's easy to let exams get on top of you and forget to look after yourself. If possible, try to get good night's sleep every night. It's a good time to make an effort to eat healthily, making sure you eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.
Eating healthily
Ask for and accept support

If you're feeling overwhelmed, you might find it helpful to talk to a teacher or counsellor. It's also important to ask for or accept support from your family.

This support might be practical, like picking you up from the library. It could also be emotional support, including advice.

If you need to talk to someone outside the situation, you can call:

Options for the future

If you are doing the Leaving Certificate, getting the exam results you need for your first preference is great. But it's not the end of the world if you do not. There are often other ways to get into the area you are interested in studying and working in.

It may mean taking a year out and getting some practical experience or doing a further education course. You might consider repeating. If you do accept another offer, you may find that you like it or it suits you better.

Leave the stress in the exam hall

There's always a light at the end of the tunnel. Exams have a beginning and an end. The stress that goes along with them should end with the exam.

Once the exam is over, there's nothing more you can do about it. You should just try to relax afterwards.

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Stress levels can be higher than usual around exam time. Find out how to manage exam stress and stay motivated and focused.

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Pieta | Preventing Suicide and Self-Harm since 2006

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Pieta provides free, therapeutic approach to people who are in suicidal distress, engage in self-harm, or bereaved by suicide, 24/7. Reach out to us today!

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A young person who attended Jigsaw

As a teenager I received the mental health support I needed. The work we did together has helped make me who I am today and I strongly believe that every young person should be able to access that kind of help.

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Visit Jigsaw.ie | The National Centre for Youth Mental Health

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We offer a listening ear, and give expert advice and support, online and in person, to young people across Ireland, aged 12 - 25 years-old.

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SpunOut.ie is Ireland's youth information website created by young people, for young people.

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Smart Moves is a suite of evidence-based short sessions  to give young people small, learnable skills that increase resilience.