June 15, 2016
Anxiety & Schooling - What You Need to Know
(Provided by CalPac, Wednesday, June 15, 2016)
Do you worry about things until you feel sick? Do you bite your nails? Do you ever revert to obsessive-compulsive behaviors which while unhealthy, seem to give you a sense of control over stressful situations?
If you are a student, have you ever found yourself trying to concentrate on your classes and homework but your mind is wrapped up in worry or persevering on an anxiety provoking situation at home?
Perhaps you have been through a traumatic event during which it was hard to concentrate at school. Perhaps you are a student who suffers from ongoing, chronic anxiety. Well, you need to know that you are not alone. Many students and most adolescents suffer from anxiety, whether severe or mild, at some time or another.
Today’s students need to manage many things: budgeting their time, prioritizing their school workload, keeping appointments like live sessions, HR meetings and tutoring. The stakes are high and it seems that the academic pressure mounts each semester and each year. Perhaps one more element of school life that needs considerable attention and management is a student’s anxiety.
Anecdotally in my teaching at CalPac, I have noticed a surge in students contending with anxiety and its tendency to interfere with school performance. So, I have compiled some suggestions by doctors for alleviating anxiety.
Doctor’s recommendations (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry):
Talk about your fears and anxieties. If you can’t share these feelings with your parents, then reach out to your Homeroom teacher or counselor or another trusted adult in whom you can confide.
“You are what you eat.” Stick to a healthy diet. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and other foods in moderation. Drink plenty of water every day but be wary of caffeinated beverages like soda, coffee and especially avoid energy drinks.
“You are what you think.” We all struggle with insecurities and feel venerable at times. These feelings are perfectly natural. However, you can train your brain to think positive and the more you concentrate on what is good and what you can do, the greater the chance that you will fulfill on positive outcomes.
I have also compiled my own recommendations from a CalPac teacher perspective. Here are my suggestions for measures to take in order to avoid undo anxiety throughout the semester:
Set up a schedule. Your Homeroom teacher can help you with this. Do your best to stick to a consistent schedule with dedicated time in your courses every day, Monday - Friday.
Stay on pace. One of the best ways to avoid an onslaught of anxiety is to simply stay on pace. Incremental progress is much more substantial than a surge of frenzied effort at the end of a week or semester.
Get social! There are many ways to connect with the amazing CalPac staff and student body: Wednesday social hour, clubs and field trips and participating during live sessions.
Exercise – every day. Exercise improves memory, bolsters the immune system and gives you energy. Plus, if you are in PE class, a minimum of 40 minutes of daily physical activity is required!
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