How To Prevent High School Student Stress

This generation of high school students is presented with a barrage of stress factors every time they walk through their school’s threshold. From rigorous academic standards to the million standardized exams they are given during the school year, I genuinely don’t envy their path to a successful future. If we eliminate the element of social and emotional stress factors, high school students are left with the worry surrounding their future and the constantly increasing curricular demands put on them by potential colleges. If these demands get overwhelming, one way to reduce the academic stress factors is to hire a qualified tutor. A tutor can help a student navigate their academic requirements and make the stress of being an adolescent tolerable. Take a look at three major ways a tutor can help reduce stress and anxiety during the high school years.


Stress Factor #1: Anxiety about their future

Many students harbor anxiety about their personal and academic future after high school. Anxiety around the “big” life questions such as: What school do I want to attend after high school? What courses do I have to take to better prepare for college? What happens if I don’t do well on the SAT/ACT? A tutor is one way to reduce the anxiety surrounding the future. A qualified tutor can help a student navigate around each of these questions by:

  • Helping to decide which exam to take (SAT/ACT)
  • Devising a study plan to prepare for SAT/ACT
  • Working closely with the student to fill any academic gaps when it comes to curriculum 
  • Tutoring sessions that focus on the courses and subject areas that are needed for college entrance  
  • Improving grades for the college application process

A tutor can significantly help with curricular goals, standardized exam preparation, and filling in the academic gaps before attending a university or college. 


Stress Factor #2: Fear of Failing

I think it is fair enough to say that everyone has dealt with a fear of failing. High school students are not exempt from this fear and it can affect their ability to do well in school. A tutor can help to support academic learning and boost confidence when it comes to school. Often, a fear of failure occurs because the student experiences a level of disequilibrium or a lack of confidence in the subject they are studying. A tutor can break apart difficult content materials and teach the student on an individual and personalized basis that is tailored to strengths and interests while also minimizing weaknesses. This one-on-one teaching style will allow the individual to reach a state of equilibrium while building on existing skills and prior knowledge.


Stress Factor #3: Uncertainty on how to manage harder subjects and responsibilities

Advanced Calculus and A.P Chemistry are no longer the course load for the academically gifted; these classes are a normal schedule for any high school student who wishes to attend a four-year university. With uncertainty on how to manage harder subject areas and increased responsibility with the academic course load, a tutor can provide assistance navigating these stress factors. A tutor can help to guide high school students through the curriculum and homework assignments while also working on time-management issues such as staying on task and/or prioritizing materials. A quality tutor will also ask the right types of questions, teach a student how to study and plan, and provide scaffolding so the individual learns how to think and be analytical. With this skill set, a student can learn not only the materials for the test/class but also know how to become a self-sufficient learner. The proper guidance from a tutor will assist the student in juggling the harder course load and aid in becoming a responsible member of the learning process. 

How can MINDSPIRE help with your student?

At MINDSPIRE, we provide tutoring and test prep that is tailored to specific learning styles and individual needs. If you are interested in getting a tutor for any standardized exam, contact us or give us a call at 844-537-PREP (7737).

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