Mental Health campaigner Natasha Devon is a brilliant speaker. Funny, self-deprecating but passionate and informed too. The key aspect you take away in person or from this excellent book is that she really cares. She is completely frank and open about her own problems growing up but shares her successes too. This honesty shines through and gives the reader confidence in the advice she offers. Everything is grounded in research and at the back you can see the experts she has consulted for every chapter as well as useful lists of where to go for further help. The book is most certainly entertaining enough to read from cover to cover, but it is also straightforward to pick and choose the relevant section you need, and it covers all of secondary school through to university and beyond. As with most self help guides there are quizzes and assessments for self-analysis which again are thoroughly grounded in research. The layout and illustrations are bright and lively, and the jokes flow freely but the important thing is that the overall tone is neither puerile nor patronising. The author has spent a considerable amount of time in schools with young people and it shows, the tone is absolutely pitch perfect. About the only circumstance which is not comprehensively covered in this excellent book is the cancellation of the entire exam system. But given that this will undoubtedly be causing considerable stress in young people then this book will certainly earn its keep. Highly recommended and an essential purchase for home and school.
Yes You Can: Ace Your Exams Without Losing Your Mind Synopsis
Ace your exams without losing your mind with this one-stop, inspiring and empowering guide. Exams can seem overwhelming - but they don't have to be. In Yes You Can: Ace Your Exams Without Losing Your Mind, mental health campaigner and exam expert Natasha Devon uses her expertise to show you not just how to stay calm in the face of exams, but also how you can absolutely smash them.
* Learn how your brain works - understand the point of stress and sort and tackle your anxieties
* Take a quiz to find out what kind of learner you are and tailor make your own revision schedule
* It's not all about work. Plan your study breaks with tips on baking, doodling, dancing and relaxation techniques
* Deal with exam days with the help of mindfulness, power poses, recall and planning techniques Revolutionize the way YOU revise.
Natasha Devon MBE is a writer & activist. She tours schools, colleges, universities and events throughout the world, delivering talks as well as conducting research on mental health, body image, gender and social equality. She campaigns both on and offline to make the world a fairer place.
Natasha is founder of the Mental Health Media Charter, which scrutinises the way the media report on mental health. She is a Trustee of Student Minds, a Patron for No Panic, an Ambassador for The Reading Agency and a member of the Men & Boys Coalition.
