An Open Letter to Teens taking Exams. View of an 81 year-old
Reflect on what really matters
If similar figures to 2024, about 5,800,000 students were entered for GCSEs in the UK, while 825,000 students were entered for A-levels in May and June 2025.
Dear Students,
Some of your friends might go through the exams like a summer breeze. Others do their duty and sit the exams but are not bothered one way or other about the outcome. A few hand in a doctor’s note.
You may be one of the many who find these exams hard, distressing and overwhelmng, as if you haven’t got enough going on already. This open letter is for you.
Yes, sit your exams if you wish. Yes, do your best if you wish. Your worth as a human bears no relationship whatsoever to what marks you receive from the examiners.
Unlike most other European countries, every UK government forces you to take these high stake exams, such as GCSEs and A-levels. UK government controls policy, funding and inspection. Like a dominating and controlling parent, central government has a grip over you instead of local education meeting local needs. As agents of the government, teachers and parents enforce the ruthless rules of education upon you.
The stress and anxiety you experience at this time is not your fault. The governmemt forces you to depend on results of your exams for your future work opportunity.
Your life experience has more influence on your work and relationships than years of study for exams.
Yes, a few students get top marks, attend a top university, go on to a PhD and receive letters before and after their name. Don’t they have enough letters in their name? Yet, some might do something else with their life far more fulfilling - to their credit.
Perhaps your parents put pressure and demands on you to succeed. Perhaps they find fault with you for not spending enough time buried in homework. You say to yourself. “I don’t want to end up like them." If you mean what you say, then make sure you don't end up like them with a domineering personality.
You may quit school before taking exams or soon after. You may never go to college or university. This is not a sign of failure. It is an indication you have a different priority or you have realised you are not suited for such a narrow concept of learning. Be patient. Explore where life leads you in the years ahead.
Learn to live with the known and the unknown.
Well-intended, they (parent(s), counsellors, educators, politicians and more) think they know what is best for you. How can they? Maybe, they don't even know what is best for themselves. Treat their words as suggestions for you to consider.
You can experience a happy, adventurous and meaningful life if you explore ways to live with a quiet independence and care for others. Such a way of life does not depend on college and university.
You will learn far more about the experience of life outside halls full of bookworms in academic institutions.
You know or hear about high achievers. Feel grateful for not ending up like them. The rest of their personal life is probably detached from loved ones and in a mess.
Know Yourself and Understand Others
Know yourself and understand others. Develop inner trust and skills. Learn from others close to you and far afield. Listen to those who share your concerns and understand your experiences.
Reflect on what matters more than getting good grades, social status and a fat income.
For a start, remember love, peace of mind, health, deep friendships, service to others, capacity to handle challenging situations, enlightening knowledge and freedom to live fully matter far more than passing exams.
Life is an extraordinary experience. Never forget.
Love
Christopher