Can your teen revise too much?
Signs your teen is overdoing it
Quick summary
- Too much revision without breaks can lead to stress, fatigue, and burnout
- Signs to watch for include social withdrawal, irritability, and exhaustion
- Encourage rest, variety in study methods, and open conversations to support healthy exam prep
If your teen is glued to their desk for hours on end, skipping meals, or refusing to see friends, you’re not alone in wondering how much revision is too much.
In fact, many parents tell us the same thing during mock and GCSE season: their child is working non-stop, and they’re worried it’s all becoming too intense.
So how do you support a hard-working teen without letting them burn out before the real exams even begin?
Let’s look at the signs of over-revising, how to encourage healthy habits, and practical ways to bring balance back to their routine.
How much revision is too much?
There’s no single rule for how many hours a day a teen should revise.
But if they’re studying for long stretches without breaks, feeling constantly tired, or becoming withdrawn, it’s worth stepping in.
Too much revision can lead to:
- Exhaustion and brain fog
- Poor sleep and lower concentration
- Irritability or low mood
- Loss of motivation
- Anxiety or burnout
What starts as dedication can quickly become a problem if they aren’t building in time to rest, socialise, or simply be a teenager.
Signs your teen may be overdoing revision
You might notice changes in their routine, like:
- Sitting at their desk for hours without breaks
- Skipping meals or forgetting to drink water
- Saying no to friends or hobbies they used to enjoy
- Becoming unusually quiet, emotional or frustrated
- Struggling to sleep or complaining of headaches
These are all signals that your teen’s revision schedule might need rebalancing.
How to help your teen revise without burning out
Encourage balance – not just effort.
Teens often think more hours = better results, but research shows quality beats quantity when it comes to revision.
You could introduce them to the Pomodoro technique – a method that breaks study into 25-minute blocks with 5-minute breaks.
This helps improve focus while giving their brain time to rest and reset.
According to a recent luna poll, teens’ top revision tools include flashcards and practice papers so they could try those too.
But more creative approaches like mind mapping, teaching the content to someone else, or revision games with a friend can be just as powerful – and make things feel less lonely.
Make rest part of the plan
Encourage them to:
- Take a proper break every hour
- Get fresh air, stretch, or move around
- Listen to music or a podcast
- Have a snack or drink something warm
- Step away from screens in the evening
You could even build a mini exam survival kit with revision snacks, tea bags, and a positive note from you.
Little gestures like this can remind your teen they’re not in it alone.
How to tell your teen they’re working too hard
It’s best to keep the dialogue open. Ask questions like:
- “How are you feeling about the way you’re revising?”
- “Is there anything that’s been stressing you out lately?”
- “Do you think you’re getting the results you want from this routine?”
Helping your teen reflect on their revision style can make them more likely to adjust it themselves.
Even a simple reminder that mental health matters just as much as marks can be a game-changer.
There’s no perfect formula for revision
Every teen is different, but if your child is putting in the hours and it’s affecting their energy, mood, or wellbeing, they might be doing too much.
Encourage variety, rest, and regular check-ins.
And most importantly, reassure them that taking a break is not failure – it’s a strategy for long-term success.
For more ways to support your teen through exams, including motivation, revision planning and emotional wellbeing, check out the luna app.
How we created this article:
luna's team of experts comprises GPs, Dermatologists, Safeguarding Leads and Junior Doctors as well as Medical Students with specialised interests in paediatric care, mental health and gynaecology. All articles are created by experts, and reviewed by a member of luna's senior review team.
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