26 Mar 2025
In the next few months our students will be gearing up for exams. We know some of them struggle with stress management, so we need to give them enough time to practice techniques before the exam calendar starts. If they learn new ways to handle their anxiety in these pre-exam weeks, they’ll have a better chance of knowing how to create the feeling of calm they’re looking for.
We all know that students need to prepare themselves to take on the mental side of exams. We’re trying to fill them with all the relevant subject knowledge and reasoning they’ll need to share their learning when it matters. But to be able to do that, they need to know how to handle their anxiety levels.
Allow time for new ideas to bed-in
We shouldn’t under-estimate the time it will take for new ideas and practices to bed in.
It's only when any new ways of handling stress become their new go-to responses that they’ll find a better way of managing things.
If you don’t schedule time for this bedding in, you might assume that any new techniques aren’t working. But perhaps you haven’t given them (the ideas – and the students) the lead in time new things take. And if that’s the case, you might cancel out any benefit that could be gained from a longer run in timeframe.
Our students need us to give as much attention to their mental exam stress preparation as we do to subject prep.
That needs
- Careful research into best practice ideas
- Clear lesson planning to share ideas
- Built in practice time
- Encouragement and support for any new stress strategies throughout the school
What our students need from new stress management ideas
From our students’ viewpoint, they need to see that any shift in THEIR way of doing things is worth it. They need to
- see the benefits of change
- accept the idea
- go along with the concept of trying new techniques
- be willing to practice, and be encouraged to do so
There’s no point at all trying to introduce calming techniques if students aren’t able to put them into practice. You need to sell any new idea, so they see it merits their time. They need to see that the effort out is balanced by what they get back from it! None of us is likely to put out any energy on something that seems a waste of our time.
Once you’ve decided on your stress management approach and worked out your delivery plan, make sure you factor in practice time.
Adopt an across-the- school stress strategy
Many courses will naturally include this in their structure, but for the quickest and long-lasting results, share the ideas throughout the school.
- Encourage all student classes to adopt similar/same exercises to calm students
- Decide on an agreed technique to use throughout the school so everyone follows the same approach
- Share your exam stress strategy with ALL staff so all your students will get the encouragement they need from staff, wherever they are in school
- This will also make everyone feel invested in and committed to the idea and keen to play their part
Planning for stress management practice should be as important an activity as any other prep session. Our students deserve every opportunity to get the most from their efforts.
Allowing time to learn, practice and incorporate your new exam stress techniques gives them the fairest chance at success.
Make sure you choose the best plan, and then roll it out with enthusiasm and commitment.
Ready to take your exam preparations to the next level? Let’s make sure your students and staff are ready for success.
I work with schools to prepare their students for the mental challenge of exams. I have strategies to support your staff and students during the exam period including a Student Stress Bundle on Building Exam Resilience and Last-Minute Panic Attacks.
I also offer 1-day workshops in schools. Want me to work with your staff on Exam Stress and Thinking Skills? Contact me at hello@geraldinejozefiak.com for details.