It’s not just you: the stress is real. When you’re studying and it’s exam season, the mental load of balancing life can be hard to bear. This is especially true when you’re in your early 20s, and potentially working and studying. A recent survey of 70 000 students across 17 South African universities found that 21% reported signs of clinical trauma while 37.1% reported anxiety symptoms.

“The best years of your life?” Not when you’re studying for tests, tutorials, assignments and exams… and not when nearly half of the South Africans your age are actively looking for a job but unable to find one.

That’s the bad news. The worse news is that even the National Planning Commission admits that there aren’t enough mental health support services available. And that’s what makes Vodacom’s NXT LVL program such a lifesaver.

NXT LVL Offering Support

NXT LVL is designed to empower young South Africans under the age of 25 through technology, providing exclusive access to affordable data bundles, learning resources and career support. Alongside exclusive Vodacom data bundles and discount offers (from NXT LVL Rewards like Vida e Cafe and Krispy Kreme), Vodacom NXT LVL also provides skills development opportunities in a wide range of fields (from photography to interior design, social media marketing, coding, business management and more). You’ll also get access to mental health services, which might prove to be even more valuable. 

What’s on Offer?

When you register with NXT LVL Rewards, you receive a Mental Health Session Voucher, which allows you to redeem a 30-minute mental health session with a licensed therapist at Ollie Health. The session will happen virtually, from anywhere in the world, via a video call with the mental health professional you choose​. 

This isn’t a chatbot or generic advice thread — this is your chance to speak to a real human, who can help you unpack the pressure, manage anxiety, and give you practical tools to cope during exam season.

Why It Matters

Exam stress isn’t just “part of student life.” Left unmanaged, it can affect your sleep, your ability to concentrate, and even your overall performance. Talking to a therapist can help you:

• Manage study-related anxiety
• Improve focus and motivation
• Deal with burnout or emotional overwhelm
• Build healthy habits for mental fitness

And hey, even if you're not in full meltdown mode — this is still a powerful check-in for your mind and your future.

Choosing A Therapist And AI Support

You can choose your therapist by filtering through specific topics, languages, regions, or provider types. Ollie’s licensed therapists include industrial psychologists, educational psychologists, registered counsellors, specialist wellness counsellors, clinical social workers, and other registered counsellors (with specialisations like Spiritual, LGBTQ, and so on)​. If you don’t know what you need, Ollie Health provides a quick quiz to give you a personalised therapist match.

We may have mentioned earlier that this isn’t a chatbot, but to ensure around-the-clock support, Ollie Health also offers a 24/7 AI Mental Health Coach. This coach uses artificial intelligence to give you data visualisation tools that track your mental health and mindset. If you’re getting close to burnout, the AI will flag that you’re in the Danger Zone and offer tips and resources to help you cope.

Sound good?  Then sign up! If you are under 25, you can register for NXT LVL via the registration page or via the VodaPay App. It’s quick and easy, and it unlocks a world of discounts, classes, support and services. You’ll love the special prices on coffee and doughnuts, but when exam time rolls around and your mental health starts to wobble, you’ll appreciate the real value of Vodacom’s partnership with Ollie.

How to Redeem Your Free Session

Once you’ve registered for NXT LVL Rewards and redeemed your voucher, getting support is simple and confidential:

1. Visit wallet.ollie.health/vodacom
2. Enter your details and voucher code (only one voucher per person)
3. Log into your account at wallet.ollie.health/login
4. Choose a therapist based on topic, language or region
5. Click Book for a 30-minute session and follow the prompts

Want to continue your sessions? You can top up your credits anytime and keep the support going.

You’ve Got This

Exams might be intense, but your mental health matters more. With a little planning, balance, and support, you can take control of your stress and come out stronger on the other side. So breathe. Study smart. And let Ollie Health help you keep your head in the game.

Powered by Vodacom NXT LVL. For the next generation of game-changers. Read more and explore exclusive NXT LVL benefits here and register for your rewards here.