Exam season and teenage mental health

It's exam season, and it is safe to say that it's always a stressful time for students.

As a student myself in year 12, I am witnessing what I have already experienced in year 11 and also what I shall likely experience in year 13 - stress. Lots and lots of stress.

According to the Department of Education, the gap last summer between "able" students and disadvantaged students grew by 0.6 points, and if my observations are correct, this will continue to grow as the years pass.

There is nothing more degrading than a student, full of determination, with hours of revision under their belt, to be told that they may be disadvantaged, as Einstein said, "if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life thinking it is stupid."

As this gap grows, so do mental health issues in my fellow students- those who are disadvantaged especially, or even those that are expected highly of, that do not believe they are capable of great heights in terms of academic achievement.

I pray that at some point in the future there will be a chance for everyone to be seen as a "genius", rather than those that are more academically able.

As mental health worsens so do results, and it is vital we find a balance for that.