How to 'bee-lieve' in yourself this exam season

May 20 marks World Bee Day, a chance to raise awareness of our nectar loving friends. There are about 270 species of wild bee in the UK, however bee populations in the UK have reduced by about a third in the last 30 years.

To mark the occasion 'Bee Bee C' Bitesize Study Support bring you 'hive' (well, five) tips to help you 'bee-lieve' in yourself and stay motivated this exam season, or should we say exam 'bee-son'… too much?

1. Look at what motivates you

Bees have different roles within their colony, whether it's foraging, guarding the hive, or building honeycomb – each role is important, but some bees specialise in certain tasks.

However, bees aren't motivated in the same way we are – the tasks they partake in act on the needs of their queen and colony, whereas your motivation is linked to skills, talents and interests. So ask yourself: what am I good at? You can also ask your family, teachers and friends – it's good to get an external perspective, and they may tell you things you hadn’t thought of.

2. Set yourself goals

Bees act on instinct to help them survive and reproduce, they don't set goals – but you're not a bee – you're a human student, and our study smart experts recommend setting yourself some goals during your exams. Goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. For example, when you are studying English, you could aim to learn three Shakespeare quotes by the end of your revision session and then take a break. We recommend making your goals short-term – short chunks of work will make things feel less daunting and more achievable for you.

3. Busy bee? Take a break!

Even the busiest of bees need rest to restore their energy, so when the work is piling up, remember that you also need to take regular, short breaks to keep up your concentration levels. Try to think of things you can do that you enjoy or make you feel good. Remind yourself that there are lots of different things that make you who you are, not just your revision and exams.

4. Bee kind to yourself

Remember, lots of people can feel bored, flat and unmotivated, especially during exam and revision season. You're not alone. 'Bee' kind to yourself and notice what you're feeling without judging yourself. It's understandable to sometimes feel this way. If you are feeling a lack of motivation to revise, start with a small step, even if you don't feel like it.

Feelings of motivation usually appear after you've started to do something. Think of what you can do, however small and be sure to take note of your progress and what you've achieved, rather than the end goal. Getting started with a small step is a big achievement when you feel unmotivated.

5. Boost your endorphins

Around 90% of UK bee species are solitary, and during revision season you too may feel pretty lonely, so it's important to check in with your mates throughout your exam period. Catching up with friends and chatting to them either face-to-face, over the phone or on a video call, will help boost your mood.

You can chat about revision, or just have a good old natter about how you're feeling. Catching up with friends can be a big stress-reliever!

If you need support

You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.

If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact Childline, where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There are more links to helpful organisations on the BBC Bitesize Action Line page for young people.