Portsmouth students like me need to relax '“ Alastair Thompson

If you're my age and in full time education, I imagine you are currently under serious pressure. 

Pressure to get that piece of coursework done, pressure to meet that next deadline or pressure to pass that exam tomorrow.

It doesn't matter what shape or form that demand takes, it's still pressure and it's probably getting to you.

Unfortunately, school becomes a bubble where too many students feel trapped in a system that doesn't cater for them. This bubble can also seriously affect young people's mental health and this is the exact reason why constant revising just doesn't achieve results.

It's a real shame to see students disappointed because they thought piling on the revision would work.

No doubt your teachers keep saying how important it is and while they are correct, it certainly isn't worth getting into a state over it.

Despite the importance of achieving in our studies, equal importance should be placed on our downtime '“ being able to relax and enjoy life is a fundamental part of growing up.

I am a firm believer that your grades will set you up for your career but unless you fully embrace everything life has to offer, you will never be fully ready.

Your downtime allows you to take your mind off of the stress you are under giving you a better mindset to return to your revision.

And I can say from experience that revising when you are stressed leads you nowhere. It really hinders your ability to take in information and process what you have learnt.

It's much better to have a break and take your mind off it and I think this should be encouraged more by schools, colleges and universities.

So when you sit that exam, make sure you do so with a clear head. It will far increase your chances of passing. 

Alastair Thompson is a journalism student at Highbury College.