Teenagers in the middle of their school year are more stressed out than any other time of the year.Reducing teenage classroom stress requires a combined effort by students, teachers, administrators, support personnel and family.You don't need to do it yourself if you can identify and overcome your stress as a teen student.
Step 1: You can manage your time more effectively.
A sense that there is too much work to be done and too little time to do it all can lead to stress related to schoolwork.Better time management skills can help with schoolwork and reduce stress in the process.Procrastination is a common practice among teens.When everything comes due at the same time, it causes a lot of stress.Start work on assignments and projects immediately by setting a schedule and budgeting your time.You can get a lot done with proper pacing.Taking several advanced classes, preparing for college entrance exams, trying out for the school musical, playing on the basketball team, and being a member of multiple clubs may be too much.Determine your priorities and say no.
Step 2: When you need clarification, ask for assistance.
Another cause of stress related to schoolwork is not knowing how to do it.Don't be too proud or timid to ask for help when you are confused by an assignment, or feel like you cannot keep up with a class.When you get a major assignment like a research paper or science project, ask the teacher to clarify the details so you know what to expect.If you need help along the way, ask.If you need extra help with a subject, talk to your teacher or guidance counselor.The more behind you are, the more stress you will build.
Step 3: Work hard and take breaks.
Unrealistic expectations are one of the causes of classroom stress.Sometimes other people create these expectations, but at least once a year you make them for yourself.When you demand too much of yourself, you end up having to work on homework and projects non-stop, which increases stress and decreases overall performance.For every hour you work, you can take a fifteen minute break.Brain breaks can refresh your mind and body.You can take a walk, listen to music, meditate, paint, or both.Taking a short break is necessary for optimal performance and health.
Step 4: Don't let go.
Many kids and teens tend to hold onto failures and fears, and this can cause classroom stress.You might be experiencing excessive stress because you worry about things that have already happened or you can't do anything about them.Learning to let go of things you can't control can help eliminate stress.Identifying your stressors and figuring out which ones are beyond your control is part of letting go.It is not possible to control the amount of homework your math teacher likes to pile on, but you can control how much you budget for it.Simple relaxation techniques like deep breathing, holding it in for a moment, and letting it out slowly, are examples.
Step 5: You should lean on your support network.
Teens can experience excessive stress because they want to show how grown-up they are.Being an adult means knowing when you need help, someone to listen, or even a shoulder to cry on.There are people in your life who can help you deal with stress.Each person has a different support network.It may include parents and siblings, as well as other family and friends.Guidance counselors can be helpful for stress in the classroom.If you aren't afraid to tell him or her what you think about your SAT exam, biology grade, or research paper, you will find the right person.You may be surprised at how useful putting your stress into words can be.
Step 6: A positive learning environment is what you want.
Teenagers are less likely to experience stress when they feel safe.Make sure that your classroom is a welcoming place for all students.Do not tolerate bad behavior.Stress can be created when a student is called upon in class.Support and encouragement is offered as a teacher.It is not a source of stress to be a resource for stress reduction.
Step 7: Provide structure, organization, and consistency.
Uncertainty and surprises increase stress and reduce it by being familiar.There is less likelihood of stress if a student knows what to expect.As a teacher, keep your room organized and consistent.For each week, consider posting or circulating a daily schedule.With room for mixing things up from time to time, give classroom materials and assignments according to familiar patterns.If the class is long and intense, give everyone a couple of minutes to rest and refresh.
Step 8: You should handle the problems calmly and respectfully.
Stress can be caused by disruptions and inappropriate behavior.It is better for the stress management of all involved if the issue is dealt with in a calm, deliberate manner, as it is natural for a teacher to become agitated in such circumstances.If possible, speak with the disruptive student in private.It is possible to cause more bad behavior by chastising the student during class.Ensuring the safety and order of the classroom is the teacher's first priority.If a disruptive student must be dealt with immediately or removed from the room, act as required for the benefit of the other students.
Step 9: Teaching stress management techniques.
Some schools have implemented programs to reduce student stress.Some basic measures can be implemented in your classroom if this occurs at your school.Long-term benefits can be provided by even brief lessons in stress-control strategies.The "take five" calming steps are a few of the common and simple stress-reduction techniques you can teach your students.Deep breathing.The muscles are relaxed.Positive images.Positive self-talk.The movements are integrated.
Step 10: There is a difference between stress and stress.
Stress is not a bad thing if you want to completely eliminate it.The stress response is similar to the fight or flight response of our stone-age ancestors in order to survive.A regular amount of stress helps to focus your mind, body, and energy on the task at hand.It's normal to have some nervous energy before a big test, which can aid in your performance.Constant or excessive stress leaves you with insufficient time to recover and it is mentally and physically draining.A lack of rest can cause your body, mind, and emotions to suffer.
Step 11: Look for signs of stress.
The physical response to stress includes changes such as an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate.These changes can be beneficial, but they carry a lot of health risks.High blood pressure, headaches, eyesight problems, digestive issues, face, neck, or back pain, and perhaps increased risks of developing several, can be caused by excessive stress in teens.For more information on signs of stress in teens, visit How to Reduce Stress as a Teenage Boy.
Step 12: Pick out your sources of stress.
Every teen student has unique sources of academic stress.Over-scheduling; unrealistic demands; excessive pressure to perform beyond one's ability; disagreements with the teacher are some of the common sources of teenage classroom stress.There are things that go into the classroom.A good way to identify your classroom stressors is to keep a stress journal for a week or two.Take note of times when you feel stressed, and consider whether certain people, events, assignments, or other factors are to blame.If you know what is causing you the most stress, you can develop more specific strategies to deal with it.See the article on teen stress for more information.