How Can I Alleviate Student Stress and Anxiety in My Class? 

Did you know that 40% of college students experience test anxiety, and for 15%, it significantly hinders their performance during assessments? This is why stress and anxiety can severely undermine academic performance, leading to frustration and ineffective learning. As an educator, you have the power to transform your classroom into a supportive environment that fosters growth and success. 

However, to effectively alleviate stress, it’s essential to understand its nuances. Eustress, a positive form of stress, can motivate students and enhance their academic journey. In contrast, distress occurs when stressors exceed a student’s coping abilities, leading to feelings of being overwhelmed and impaired learning. How can educators foster eustress, motivating students to tackle challenging tasks and believe that overcoming these challenges will enhance their academic and personal development? 

In this insightful 20-Minute Mentor, Nichole Barta, EdD, shares evidence-based strategies that can be seamlessly integrated into course design and teaching methods to effectively reduce student stress and anxiety. She also delves into the challenge-hindrance stress model, illustrating how specific stressors can be harnessed to create high yet attainable standards, promoting collaborative learning and a growth mindset. 

Ultimately, the evidence-based strategies presented will help educators transform teaching and create a thriving learning environment through: 

• Identifying Common Stressors: Gain a deep understanding of what causes student stress and anxiety. 
• Implementing Thoughtful Teaching Practices: Learn how to design manageable course workloads, conduct frequent non-graded learning checks, and foster a supportive learning environment. 
• Promoting Engagement and Growth: Reduce stress levels, boost student engagement, and create a classroom atmosphere conducive to academic and personal growth. 

 Take 20 minutes to gain the tools to mitigate the adverse effects of stress and anxiety and inspire students to thrive under the right amount of challenge.

Learning Goals

After viewing this Magna 20-Minute Mentor, participants will be able to:

• Identify common sources of academic stress and anxiety
• Differentiate between challenge and hindrance stressors
• Implement various strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of stress
• Enact action steps to reduce stress and enhance student learning, performance, and wellbeing
• Ensure a manageable course workload that fosters a supportive learning environment

Topics Covered

• Sources of academic stress and anxiety  
• Challenge-hindrance stress model  
• Instructor strategies for reducing student stress and anxiety  
• Techniques to support student learning 

Audience

This program will benefit:

• Faculty teaching in any modality
• Course designers
• Faculty developers
• Directors for Centers of Teaching and Learning

Product Code: PM24IA