You can tell the clocks have gone forward. It’s now summertime – we’ve had spells of wonderful sunny weather, interspersed with rainy days too. Holiday makers are coming and going through the village on their way to make the most of the wonderful countryside around us. And our young people? Many of them are in exam stress mode - or is that mood!
Yes, it’s that time of year again when our young people sit their exams. It’s a stressful time for their teachers, their parents/carers, and of course for them too! The pressure and expectation placed upon our young people to succeed and achieve is as great now as it has ever been. The push, rightly, or wrongly, for improvement year on year for our schools, and their pupils, is growing all the time. Despite the best care and support, the level of “gentle” pressure put upon young people can also have a knock on effect to their well-being, both physical and mental. I do wonder if we are in danger of producing one of the most mentally stressed generations ever!
When it comes to taking exams, it’s very easy to say, along with Corporal Jones from Dad’s Army “don’t panic Mr Mainwaring”. We certainly don’t want our young people to panic. We just want them to do their best and achieve their potential. But neither do we want to push them into a state of heightened anxiety, fatigue and burnout. We all grow and develop at different rates, and some of us achieve our goals later in life. There are often opportunities later on to get to where you want to be and make up for the things you found difficult when younger.
So as a community, can we watch out for our young people, appreciate that the stresses and strains they feel at this time might be different from what our experience was “when we were their age” and offer wise counsel, gentle care and a sympathetic ear. To those taking exams, be assured that people are thinking of you and those of faith are praying for you, that the churches here care very much about you - when you do well, and when things don’t go so well.
Each of you is special, as in God’s sight we are all loved, valued and have a future and purpose.
Rev Tim Morris Minister, Hathersage Methodist Church
