Anxiety

As many as one in six young people experience anxiety, making it a common problem for students in and outside of the classroom. Some nervousness is normal before tests and exams, but when a feeling of panic remains, it can prevent learning and block positive emotional states.

Anxiety can be categorised in different ways, some examples include:

School phobia - This can be due to traumatic events at school or that the learning environment in classrooms causes distress. Negative feelings become strongly associated with the school environment.
Separation anxiety - This is more pronounced in younger children, or when there are sudden changes in family circumstances.
Generalised anxiety disorder - This can be caused by a desire for perfection or a student seeking control over their environment when other parts of their life are being challenged. These students may have recurring fears and worries that interfere with normal learning. Students with autism spectrum condition (ASC), often suffer from generalised anxiety.

How our tutors approach students with Anxiety

Familiarity usually lessens anxiety. Our tutors will let the student become familiar with the learning environment or exam room beforehand. They will tell them about events in good time so that they can mentally prepare. Tutors will make sure the student is getting plenty of positive affirmation and warmth. Tutors will also avoid too many direct questions in the beginning of the interaction with the student.