Throughout October and November, Year 12 students across Australia will sit their final exams.

If you’re one of these students, you might experience increased anxiety due to pressure to perform. You might even feel as though certain career pathways will be closed off if you don’t do well.

But there are things you can do to reduce anxiety during the exam period, and ways to protect your mental health during the final leg of Year 12.

What contributes to anxiety?

Anxiety often arises when we become worried about what may happen in the future. In response to a perceived threat or uncertainty, the body’s autonomic nervous system is activated, preparing us to cope with danger. In the body, this might lead to muscles tensing, faster breathing, and an increased heart rate.

While these responses are designed to protect us, anxiety can also create a persistent sense of unease that makes it difficult to think clearly, concentrate, or feel at peace. Research suggests symptoms of anxiety and depression spike during exam periods and towards the end of high school.

It’s also a time in your........

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