Stress is an inevitable part of every student’s life as they spend most of their time in school all day, learning new concepts, taking exams, completing homework and assignments, and making new friends. Managing stress effectively is crucial for maintaining mental well-being and achieving academic success.

Help kids realize that stress is normal! No test or assignment will make or break their life. While this is difficult to realize when they’re still students, regular reminders of the same can be helpful. 

Encourage help-seeking in your children. Many students often feel embarrassed or shy to ask for help, in fear of what their classmates will say. Help them understand that asking for help is an act of bravery. Sometimes, talking about your concerns with someone you trust can provide a fresh perspective and alleviate stress.

Learning to set realistic goals. Goal setting helps students create a clear idea of what they should be working towards. “I want to do well this semester” is very vague. A goal in this regard can be “I want to score 70%” this semester. 

It helps when these goals are small and take a step-by-step approach to reaching a bigger goal. For instance, studying for a test may be a big scary goal. It helps to break it into smaller goals like – collecting all the notes – reading one chapter – and so on. This approach can make the workload feel manageable.

Don’t forget to have fun too! Engaging in hobbies or activities that bring you joy and relaxation, such as reading, listening to music, and spending time in nature can act as effective stress-relievers. 

Positive self-talk is a helpful aspect of stress management as well. In times of stress like exams, it can be difficult to think of positive thoughts and experiences related to school. Positive reminders like “I can do this, I am capable, I can ask for help” can be helpful reminders in times of stress. 

To all parents and educators reading this, remember that students are trying their best! You can be a positive force in their lives by helping them learn positive stress management strategies.