School-Related Anxiety

There are many variations of how anxiety can affect a student, and, likewise, there are so many tools that can help!

Here are a few of the strategies I like to recommend:

1. Reframe your thinking

-We are telling ourselves stories about ourselves all day long

-I'm horrible at math

-I'm going to fail this test

-I don't know how to do any of these problems

-Tell yourself different stories that will serve you better

-I need to meet with my teacher more. I have a lot of questions!

-I'm going to try my best not to fail this test

-This is such hard math! How can I use my resources to understand it better?

2. Deep Breathing

-Breath is a way we connect the body and mind. We can slow down the anxiety and the thoughts when we slow down our breath by focusing on it.

-Breathe in deeply for a count of 4. Breathe out for a count of 4. Repeat 4 times.

3. Visualization

-Imagine your most calm, happy place. Explore your senses as you picture this place in your mind's eye.

-By shifting your focus to more relaxing, soothing experiences, you can quiet the mind's worries and gain perspective.