Back-to-School: 5 Ways students can stress less this year
Ahhh back to school season. The smell of fall leaves, stale textbooks, and … stress?! We know that #backtoschool is a mix of exciting adventure and a touch of "what's gonna happen next?" vibes. As Toronto’s top math tutoring service, we have a lot of experience in helping kids manage not just math anxiety, but school-related stress in general! Let's break this down and discover five laid-back ways to help all you students stress less this school year!
1. Friendship & Pep Talks
Guess what? Friends are like instant mood boosters. Round up the squad before school starts, whether it's a virtual hang or an in-person chill session. Chatting with your pals can seriously dial down those jitters. And don't forget the power of self-talk – hype yourself up with reminders of your awesomeness. Those small wins? They're the stepping stones to greatness!
2. Plan like a Pro (without the Stress)
Planning in advance isn’t just about planning when you’re going to work, it means planning when you’re going to play as well! Study time, fun breaks, and yes, some "me" time too – that's the recipe for success. A plan doesn't just zap anxiety, it also helps you become the master of your time. Become BFF with your agenda and commit to planning each week and each day so that you know when you’re doing what!
3. Self-Care rules
We know it sounds cliché, but self-care really does matter. Dive into your hobbies – drawing, dancing, strumming a guitar, or simply zenning out. Go back to #2 and make sure you’re carving out time for these self-care activities because these are going to be the glue that holds you together when you feel swamped with school work. If you don’t plan for them in your calendar, they’re not going to happen – so take self-care as seriously as your math homework and make sure it happens!
4. Mindfulness Magic
Ever heard of taking a chill pill? Well, this is better – mindfulness. When stress shows up, deep breathing and a dash of meditation can make it bounce. Create a comfy zone where you can be your zen self. Mindfulness is your ticket to staying in the moment and waving goodbye to those pesky worries. Download a meditation app, or log onto youtube and find your new fave mindfulness coach and make mindfulness a priority this school year!
5. Get Help!
Teamwork makes the dream work, right? There’s no shame in asking for help! At our Toronto math tutoring centre, our tutors help kids manage stress, math anxiety, catch up on learning gaps, prepare for tests, and develop study strategies to make sure they have a toolbox to turn to when they’re overwhelmed! Whether you need a math tutor, science tutor, learning coach, organizational coach, or even a therapist … there’s someone out there for you, you’re not alone! Ask your teacher, school admin or friends for referrals and go from there!
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Remember, every student is a unique puzzle piece, and what fits one might not fit another. Be patient, keep it real, and give high-fives for even the smallest victories. These five savvy strategies aren't just about handling anxiety – they're life skills that'll be your secret weapon forever.
Get pumped for new friends, mind-blowing lessons, and memories that'll make you smile. You're not just ready for back-to-school – you're gonna own it! So let's give it all we've got and make this year the most epic one yet. Ready, set, let's rock that back-to-school swagger! 🎒🌟
Vanessa Vakharia is the author of 𝑀𝒶𝓉𝒽 𝐻𝒶𝒸𝓀𝓈 + 𝑀𝒶𝓉𝒽 𝐻𝒶𝒸𝓀𝓈 𝟚 , the host of the Math Therapy podcast, and the founder of The Math Guru tutoring studio.