When anxiety is a concern at school
Most students are resilient most of the time, and their anxiety is short-lived. It’s not unusual for students to feel nervous at school when they’re stretched to do something new and unfamiliar. In fact, some anxiety in these situations can be adaptive—that is, it can actually help students be better prepared and perform better.
But if anxiety becomes too intense, out of proportion to the situation, or long-lasting, it can have a negative impact on students’ well-being and their ability to learn.
Signs that anxiety may be a problem
- Frequent absences or requests to go home
- Long-lasting difficulty with morning separation
- Social issues (e.g., extreme shyness)
- Difficulty speaking in groups or in class
- Persistent and repeated reassurance seeking
- Refusal to engage in tasks
- Avoidance of certain places, situations or people
- Mismatch between ability and academic performance
- Persistent social and relational struggles
- Recurring physical symptoms without medical explanation
- Difficulty speaking in groups or class
- Withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities
Guiding questions
(coming soon)
