How much revision is too much?

Question from a parent of a 16 year old

Question

My daughter is in Year 11 and she’s been revising for her mocks, but I’m worried she’s overdoing it. She spends hours at her desk, barely takes breaks, and refuses to hang out with friends like she used to. I know exams are important, but I don’t want her burning out before the real thing. How do I help her find a balance?

Answer

While dedication to revision is great, balance is a really important component in avoiding burnout – as you say.

You might want to encourage them to try a mix of methods to keep revision fresh and engaging, as sitting at a desk all day could get quite stale for them. The Pomodoro method is one idea, which encourages students to take breaks.

According to a luna poll, the top revision strategy for teens is flashcards (used by nearly 1 in 5 teens, 18%), followed by practice papers. But alternatives include things like teaching another person (which could help them socialise more with a friend) or mindmapping – great for creative types. 

Suggesting these if they have not yet tried them might help focus their efforts on approaches that are effective and helpful.

Although it might sound counter-productive, breaks are just as important as study time. So, if you can, encourage them to step away from their desk at least every hour for something they enjoy – whether it’s a walk, listening to music, or a quick chat in the kitchen over a snack. Teens often underestimate the value of rest, but it’s so important for processing information and avoiding fatigue.

More ideas for how to support a stressed-out teen can be found in our deep-dive article on this topic.

Finally, try to open a dialogue to check in on how they’re feeling about their routine. Questions like, “what’s been the most challenging part?” or “do you feel like you’re making progress?” can help identify if changes are needed. 

Just keep reinforcing the idea that balance and mental health are essential for long-term success, and that can reassure them that it’s okay to pause.

Hope this helps you! And remember there’s plenty of advice on this topic in the luna app if you’d like to recommend they download luna.

Are you a parent in need of support? Ask luna using this form and our experts will pick 4 to address in our newsletter – which you can sign up to here or by scrolling down.