Is There a Solution to Reduce Stress for Students?

As the year progress, research has shown that pressure on students seems to be growing day-by-day. A simple and obvious cause for this is because students are now learning in the 5^th grade what generations before them have learned in the 7^th grade. While it is true that children have a great capacity to understand, learn and retain information, the increasing amount that they are required to study is definitely a cause for concern.
Many schools continue to implement teaching methods that are no longer relevant to the age and time. This does not give students the full capacity to grow and broaden their horizons. Therefore, they are stuck trying to comprehend new information via redundant studying methods.
Tips to Reduce Stress for Students

1. Reduce Homework

• The primary complaint from most young learners is the fact that they have far too many assignments and projects to complete, especially at the end of a school year.
• This seems to be the case even though many complete their homework regularly and stick to submission dates.
• So where does the fault lie?
• Most often, teachers do not communicate with each other about the work they plan on setting for their students.
• Hence, many teachers tend to set rather large assignments with similar deadlines for the kids to complete.
• While having one or two assignments a week isn’t very difficult, having multiple papers, tests and assignments to study for within a limited time span while attending classes and other curricular activities becomes quite a challenge.
• It is true that students can be pushed, but some are unable to handle the pressure and stress of so much work and fast approaching deadlines.
• In this case, it would be wise to reduce the amount of homework.
• Other areas may be increased, like the amount of classwork or activities a student is required to do in order to earn grades or credits that can be converted into grades.
• Also, it is not fair to assign the same amount of work for each class.
• With younger students, regular homework may be necessary to ensure that they understand what is being taught and are able to cope with classes.
• But for older students, there is no such thing as a small assignment so give them sufficient time to complete projects.

2. Frequent Tests

• If homework is being reduced, there are obviously other aspects that need to be increased.
• At the thought of exams and tests many will cringe, but they have their benefits.
• When reducing homework, increase the amount of tests to weekly instead of monthly or yearly examinations.
• This may not seem like a fun prospect, but if students have weekly tests, they will obviously be based on much smaller portions in their syllabus as opposed to yearly or bi-yearly examinations.
• This will mean that there are smaller portions to cover every week and there will be no repetition or have to learn multiple chapters overnight.
• This ensures maximum utility of the brain because it is impossible for every student to remember information from at least 10 chapters for a test.
• Weekly or bi-weekly tests give students enough time for preparation.
• Since they are aware of these tests even before the school year starts, they can mentally prepare themselves for the work they will be required to do.
• It also ensures that they are tested on information that is still fresh in their minds because it has been taught in the week or two leading up to the exam.
• It is a good way to grade students objectively since tests are not customizable and subject to change at all.

3. Experiment with Teaching Methods

• The stress of studies of is not only limited to tests and homework.
• The way children are taught in class plays a big role in how they internet information and handle any sort of
• Methods used to teach in class cannot all be the same. Schools should use methods that are relevant to the students and the type of school it is.
• Experiment with teaching methods but changing the way in which you impart information.
• Use field trips and outdoor activities to help relate the subjects being taught with real life.
• If children are able to relate classwork with the world outside, it will seem less like something they are forced to study and more like everyday things that they are required to know in order to live fuller lives.
• If the classroom is a teacher led one, change it by turning it into a children centred one. This can greatly impact how they view school and their feelings towards studying in general.
• If something isn’t working for at least 95% of the class, change it. Try something new till you find a method that gives you the best results.
• Incorporate a system of rewards for your teaching method.
• Instead of using negative reinforcement, only focus on the positive. This will push children to try harder to overcome obstacles.
  

4. Flexible Deadlines

• Students experience a lot of stress the closer it comes towards a deadline.
• Some are genuinely not aware of an assignment or test because they have been ill or away from school for a particular reason.
• Last minute studying and completing assignments can be very stressful in this case.
• If kids are genuinely unaware, or unable to complete something due to a lack of understanding or some other reason, allow them an extension of a day to two, in order to compile their work more efficiently.
• If they are aware of the fact that the deadlines are not so strict, they will be more likely to complete work because of the reduced stress.

The aim of a teacher is to get the best possible results from every student in their class. It is not possible to customize teaching habits that suit every student individually. But the above methods will definitelybe beneficial to students to achieve the best results. Remember that, while children adapt to their surroundings, not everything will be beneficial for them.