Social media can be helpful distraction during exam time: Deakin expert

Dr Natalie Hendry from Deakin's School of Education said the VCE exam period can be challenging for young people.

"Not only is there the pressure of study but students are also thinking beyond their final year," Dr Hendry said.

"Pathways to future education and employment are becoming more complex and young people feel this pressure acutely."

Dr Hendry said study strategies that were effective up to this point may need to be tweaked as the exam period approaches.

"Finding ways to let go of stress is vitally important and, as much as social media can be a distraction, it can also provide welcome relief," Dr Hendry said.

"By sharing a study music playlist with friends or setting aside a time to game online and chat with other gamers, students are connecting with each other and giving themselves a mental break from study. Sharing and scrolling through favourite memes and videos can also provide a fun way to relax."

Dr Hendry said finding ways to motivate themselves would help students sustain their energy during the final stretch.

"This can be different to their friends and to what worked for School Assessed Coursework (SACs) or other assessment tasks," Dr Hendry said.

"Students might want to develop a great portfolio for course or job applications, or create a supportive peer group to get through exams together.

"They might want a high study score on a tough subject to help their university application or make their family proud.

"Students respond to stress in different ways. Some thrive on having set goals, an end date and a clear idea of how to revise. Others prefer to demonstrate their learning through more creativity and less structure.

"Anxious students often have high expectations of themselves and this pressure can become so overwhelming that they just stop and can't move forward, even if they have been productive students throughout the year.

"If it all gets too much, breaking down study into small prioritised goals can help with this hurdle.

"Young people who are struggling with their emotional or mental health can benefit from checking in with a close family member or older friend.

"But when things feel especially overwhelming, it is important that parents, carers and teachers encourage young people to visit a GP, school wellbeing co-ordinator, counsellor or a mental health service," Dr Hendry said.