30 Aug 2025
As September comes around, exam officers are back at the heart of school life - organising and coordinating things for the year ahead. It needs focus, accuracy and patience. But in the rush to get everything done, it’s easy to put your own wellbeing at the bottom of the list.
This year, as you settle back into things, consider a more mindful approach - one that helps you stay focused, grounded, and ready for the academic year ahead.
1. Stay in control
Your to-do list may often grow quicker than you’d like, so it’s important to pace yourself. As each new working day starts, ask yourself:
- What are today’s priorities?
- What can wait until tomorrow?
- What needs a five-minute breather before I dive in?
Don’t forget to take a break and step away from your desk. Just doing that can shift your mindset and help you re-balance your energy.
2. Create a personal safe space
There’s always a ton of emails, requests, and last-minute timetable changes to deal with. Wherever possible:
- Block out some quiet time to work on those activities that need your full attention.
- Put up a ‘do not disturb’ sign if you need to or take yourself off to a quiet working area when you really need to concentrate.
- Set realistic boundaries around your availability.
Mindfulness means choosing how to respond, not just reacting to every call on your time.
3. Know when to take a step back
We all have moments when it’s just too much. Instead of pushing through:
- Pause.
- Notice how you feel. How’s your body handling interruptions and pressure?
- Take a conscious breath.
- Step away for a moment.
It’s not a weakness - it’s emotional intelligence in action.
Looking after yourself when things get ‘stressy’ is not just sensible, it’s keeping you safe!
4. Prepare for those difficult conversations
There may be some conversations that make you feel uncomfortable. A mindful approach can help:
- Write down what you need to say in advance.
- Focus on the outcome you need – and don’t make it personal.
- Take a deep breath before going in and visualise a good resolution for all
- Focus on the objective and stay calm and measured, but clear in your intention.
This shows you’re a professional and can leave personal challenges behind you on this occasion!
5. Build the right team culture
We know what we do as exam officers – we are key behind a lot of what people ‘see’. Our role takes diplomacy. Working across the whole school can ask us to dig deep into our personal skills!
A mindful approach includes:
- Checking in with colleagues regularly.
- Offering help without overloading yourself.
- Recognising and celebrating small wins.
- Asking for information with patience and clarity.
Being seen as calm, thoughtful, and supportive earns trust.
6. Notice when you need help - then ask
You might be the go-to person for everything exam related - but that doesn’t mean you don’t need support, too. If things feel overwhelming:
- Speak to a trusted colleague.
- Ask for more details if something isn’t clear.
- Let someone know if a deadline is unrealistic.
Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re not coping - it means you know what’s involved and what you have to manage.
Start as you mean to go on
September sets the tone. You don’t need to rush, burn out, or do it all alone. A mindful, approach will help you handle the tasks ahead with better balance.
Take five minutes. Take a breath. Take care of you.
Because when you’re at your best, everything else runs smoother.
I work with schools to prepare their students for the mental challenge of exams I offer 1-day CPD workshops and Inset Days Training for schools to help you build Teacher and Student Resilience to exam stress.
Want me to work with your staff on Exam Stress and Thinking Skills? Get details of my Inset Training Days and your Exam Mindset Cheat Sheet.
https://www.geraldinejozefiak.com/healthyexammindset
Contact me at hello@geraldinejozefiak.com