8% of children in the United Kingdom smoke due to the stress of exams
Panic attacks, exciting drinks, junk food and, what is even worse: tobacco. This is starting to appeal to children as young as 10 years old as a result of stress they suffer from important exams, according to an investigation carried out in the United Kingdom with students who had to present the Stats test.
The Standard Assessment Task (SAT) is a kind of revalidation done in the United Kingdom: national exams that evaluate the progress of students and compare them with national standards. The appointment with these tests is such an anxiety that it leads young people and children to Behaviors not typical of their age: how to smoke at 10 years old.
According to a survey of thousands of children aged 10-11 years old who faced these tests last year, eight percent smoked before the test, 37 percent took chocolate and 55 percent suffered panic for getting bad results and that this could affect their future.
Also, another investigation with children who faced these tests found that 30 percent took drinks with a high concentration of sugar the morning of the exam, while the 45 went to cookies, the 19th, to French fries, and the new percent to cakes or even to meals as empanadas, as explained by the British BBC, which have echoed these results .
The pressure of the exams
The pressure of exams can affect the health of children, especially when it comes to such important final tests at the national level. Another investigation cited by the BBC has highlighted the concern of parents about it because their children stop eating because of the accumulated nerve before the tests.
In fact, one in eight parents surveyed said their children could not eat the night before these exams, while 18 percent of them warned about the change in children's behavior during the exam period, and 78% said their children suffered more from these tests than they did at their age.
Almost 60% of the children surveyed said they stopped eating breakfast because of the pressure of the exams, something that can have consequences on their health, as well as those who they can not sleep during this period: 22% of the respondents.
The psychologist specialized in children Claire Halsey, also at the BBC, has warned of the increase in the pressure of children: "It is worrisome that children express so many concerns about their exams"He has said, while adding:" It is natural to experience some pressure to perform before any test, even at 10 years and 11 years, but these results show that the SAT have become more than a little stressful".
And it is one thing to have an exam and the "typical nerves" before, but change habits and behaviors and perform unhealthy actions (such as stop eating breakfast or start smoking) is something to fight against. There are many study techniques that guarantee us to reach the test in question with the clear conscience of having done everything possible. The main thing, always, is health.
Angela R. Bonachera
