One thing you do need is a quiet place to work. Naseem needs to talk to her family and look for a compromise here. Can the TV be switched off for an hour or so each evening, or can Naseem have some quiet time in her room to work? It means changing things around a little, but it’s important for Naseem’s school career, so it’s worth looking for a solution.

Lyddi’s problem is lack of organization. Now she’s at secondary school, she needs to take responsibility for homework and set aside time to do it every day – she should keep a homework diary or notebook to jot down what has to be done and when it needs to be in by. I always liked to get my homework out of the way as soon as I could – straight after school, while it was still fresh in my mind. Sometimes, I’d do a rough draft of an essay and then copy it out and tidy it up the next night – I still do several drafts of a story now! Checking over homework or doing a second draft makes sure you always hand in your best work – and get the best grade for it!

If you leave homework to the last moment, you’ll end up rushing it and handing in something that’s not your best work. And sometimes, as Lyddi has discovered, you’ll forget it completely and pay the price…

Hi Cathy

I am very worried about my end-of-term tests. I know my parents expect me to do well, and I’m scared I will let them down. I lie awake at night thinking about it all. What can I do?

Mariam, age 10

Cathy

I’ve been a fan of your books for ages. I don’t know why, but I feel I can talk to you because you understand teenagers and what we go through. I am so worried about my standard grade exams. There is so much to revise I don’t know where to start… I feel like giving up right now.

Iona, age 14

Exams and tests are major stress points for the young people who write and email me. I used to worry about exams too, but the testing starts at a much younger age these days, so the pressure starts earlier too.

Mariam is worried about letting her parents down, and that fear is eating away at her confidence. I guarantee that her parents just want her to do the best she can. Mariam needs to talk to her parents and explain how anxious she’s feeling… her family can help her to get things in perspective.

Iona is so overwhelmed at all the revision she has to do that she can’t see a way forward – it seems easier to give in to panic than to actually make a start on the work. Revision is no picnic, but it is the key to exam success… get organized early on and you’ll be prepared when test time comes around. So how do you do it?