Anxiety can make school a challenging experience for teens, affecting everything from focus in the classroom to completing homework at home. While occasional worry is normal, ongoing anxiety can interfere with a teen’s ability to manage responsibilities, participate in activities, and achieve their full potential.
This guide explores how anxiety impacts school performance and provides practical ways for parents and educators to support anxious teens.
What is the impact of anxiety on academic performance?
Anxiety can affect a teen’s ability to succeed in school in several ways. 1 This includes:
Difficulty concentrating
Teens with anxiety disorders often find it challenging to focus on their studies. This can happen due to:
- Racing thoughts: Worries about future events, social situations, or school performance may crowd their minds, making it hard to focus on assignments.
- Overthinking tasks: Anxiety can lead to second-guessing their work, slowing their progress, and increasing frustration.
- Distractions from physical symptoms: Headaches, a racing heart, or stomachaches linked to anxiety can pull their attention away from schoolwork.
Decreased academic motivation
Anxiety may lower a teen’s drive to complete tasks or participate in learning activities:
- Procrastination: They might avoid starting homework or studying because they feel overwhelmed by the workload or fear failure.
- Fear of failure: Worrying about not meeting expectations can discourage them from trying new challenges or completing assignments.
- Withdrawal from activities: Anxiety may make teens hesitant to engage in class discussions, group projects, or extracurricular activities that contribute to learning.
Decline in test performance
Test-taking can be particularly difficult for anxious teens, even if they are well-prepared. Anxiety during exams can result in:
- Blanking out: Stress may cause them to forget the information they studied, even if they know the material.
- Time mismanagement: Anxiety can make them rush through or overly fixate on certain questions, affecting their performance.
- Physical symptoms during tests: Sweating, shaking, or nausea can interfere with their ability to focus and complete the test calmly.
Avoidance behaviors
Generalized anxiety can lead teens to avoid situations they find stressful, impacting their ability to meet academic responsibilities. Watch for behaviors like:
- Skipping school: Teens might try to avoid the stress of school by staying home.
- Avoiding specific subjects: Subjects they find particularly challenging may trigger avoidance behaviors, leading to gaps in their learning.
- Reluctance to ask for help: Anxiety may make teens worry about appearing weak or being judged, preventing them from seeking support from teachers or peers.
What are the common symptoms of anxiety in students?
Anxiety in students can present in various ways. This includes:
Emotional symptoms
Anxiety often affects a student’s emotional state, leading to feelings that can interfere with their daily life. These symptoms include:
- Constant worry: Students may frequently dwell on academic, social, or personal concerns, even when there’s no immediate problem.
- Irritability or mood swings: Anxiety can make students more reactive, leading to frustration or sudden emotional outbursts.
- Fear of failure: A strong fear of making mistakes or disappointing others can weigh heavily on their emotions.
Behavioral symptoms
Anxiety may influence a student’s actions and habits, often resulting in noticeable changes in behavior. These behavioral symptoms include:
- Avoidance behaviors: They might skip school, avoid homework, or withdraw from challenging subjects or activities.
- Perfectionism: Some students may overwork themselves to meet unrealistic standards, leading to burnout.
- Reluctance to speak up: Anxiety may cause students to avoid asking questions or participating in class discussions.
- Obsessive behaviors: Students might repeatedly check or redo work to ensure it’s “perfect.”
Social symptoms
Anxiety can impact how students interact with peers and authority figures. Watch for signs like:
- Social withdrawal: They may avoid group activities or isolate themselves from classmates.
- Difficulty forming relationships: Anxiety might make it harder for them to trust or connect with others.
- Fear of judgment: Students might hesitate to speak up or share opinions, fearing negative reactions.
Physical symptoms
Anxiety often manifests physically, affecting a student’s comfort and ability to focus. These physical symptoms include:
- Headaches or stomachaches: Frequent complaints about pain or discomfort can be signs of underlying anxiety.
- Fatigue: Poor sleep or the mental toll of constant stress can leave students feeling drained.
- Tense muscles or fidgeting: Anxiety may cause students to feel physically restless or tense throughout the day.
- Shortness of breath or rapid heartbeat: Stressful situations can trigger physical responses and overwhelming tasks.
- Unexplained aches or pains: Anxiety might cause vague physical symptoms without apparent medical cause.
Cognitive symptoms
Anxiety can affect how students think and process information, making academic tasks more difficult. Symptoms include:
- Difficulty concentrating: Racing thoughts or excessive worry can make focusing on lessons or assignments hard.
- Overthinking: They might overanalyze instructions or doubt their answers, slowing their progress.
- Forgetfulness: Anxiety can affect memory, causing students to forget important details or assignments.
- Dependence on routines: Anxiety might make students resistant to changes in their schedule or environment.
How does anxiety manifest in elementary school students?
Anxiety in young children often looks different from teens because they’re still developing and may struggle to express their feelings.2 While teens may articulate their worries, younger children usually communicate anxiety through behaviors and physical complaints.
Behavioral signs
Elementary students often show anxiety through behaviors that highlight their reliance on parents or teachers for comfort and support. These include:
- Clinginess: They may stay close to parents or guardians and refuse to be apart, looking for comfort.
- Tantrums or meltdowns: Unlike teenagers, young children might have emotional outbursts in response to stress or fear.
- Avoiding school or new experiences: Anxiety may cause them to resist activities they perceive as unfamiliar or challenging.
Physical complaints
Younger children often experience anxiety through physical symptoms they cannot easily explain. Common examples are:
- Frequent complaints of stomachaches or headaches: These are often the child’s way of signaling emotional distress.
- Bedwetting or sleep disturbances: Unlike teens, younger children might regress in their sleep patterns or show nighttime fears.
- Restlessness and fidgeting: Their inability to sit still or concentrate often reflects underlying anxiety.
Social behaviors
Young children may exhibit social behaviors that point to anxiety. These behaviors include:
- Over-reliance on adults: Anxious children may always seek comfort from parents or teachers and avoid doing things on their own.
- Difficulty sharing or taking turns: Anxious children may struggle to share or wait their turn because they feel uncertain or overwhelmed in social situations.
- Avoiding group play: Unlike teens who may isolate themselves, young children might linger near adults instead of engaging with peers.
Emotional signs
The emotional symptoms of anxiety in younger children tend to be less verbalized and more behaviorally expressed:
- Excessive crying or irritability: Young children may cry more frequently or seem unreasonably upset without clear reasons.
- Fear of specific situations: Unlike the broad worries of teens, elementary students may focus on specific fears, such as being left alone or encountering strangers.
How can teachers support students with anxiety?
Teachers play a crucial role in helping students with anxiety thrive in the classroom. 3 Here are tailored strategies educators can use to support students experiencing anxiety in the classroom:
Create a calm and inclusive classroom environment
Anxiety can make students feel overwhelmed, but a welcoming atmosphere can ease their fears. Teachers can:
- Provide a quiet space: Offer a designated area where students can take a break if they feel overwhelmed.
- Encourage participation without pressure: Use methods like small group discussions or written responses to make it easier for anxious students to contribute.
Recognize and address anxiety symptoms
Identifying signs of anxiety early allows teachers to provide timely support. Look for:
- Avoidance behaviors: Skipping assignments, frequent restroom breaks, or avoiding group activities may also indicate underlying anxiety.
- Physical symptoms: Students may complain of headaches, stomachaches, or stress-related fatigue.
- Difficulty concentrating: Anxious students might appear distracted or struggle to follow instructions, which can impair their ability to perform academically.
Use supportive teaching methods
Changing teaching methods can help anxious students feel more comfortable and involved. Teachers can:
- Break down tasks: Simplify assignments into smaller, manageable steps to prevent students from feeling overwhelmed.
- Offer flexible deadlines: Provide accommodations for students who need more time to complete tasks during particularly anxious periods.
- Use positive reinforcement: Acknowledge effort and progress to build self-esteem and reduce fear of failure.
Encourage open communication
Building trust with students allows them to feel comfortable sharing their concerns. Teachers can:
- Check in regularly: Ask students how they’re feeling or if they need any support.
- Use active listening: Show understanding and empathy when students share their worries.
- Collaborate with families: Teaching students coping skills helps them manage stress better.
Teach anxiety management technique ues
Teaching students coping skills helps them manage stress better. Teachers can:
- Introduce calming techniques: Teach simple practices like deep breathing or mindfulness to manage in-the-moment stress.
- Encourage self-regulation: Help students recognize signs of anxiety and use tools like a stress ball or grounding exercises to regain focus.
- Incorporate movement breaks: Short physical activities can help reduce anxiety and re-energize students.
Coordinate with school support staff
Leveraging school resources ensures students with anxiety receive comprehensive support. Teachers can:
- Work with counselors: Refer students to the school counselor for one-on-one guidance and additional resources.
- Develop individualized plans: Collaborate on 504 plans or Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that address anxiety-related needs.
- Provide referrals for professional help: If necessary, recommend parents consult a mental health professional for further support.
How can parents manage teen’s anxiety in school?
Helping your child manage anxiety at school begins with understanding their struggles and finding ways to make school a more comfortable and supportive place for them.
Work with the school
Building a partnership with your child’s school is key to addressing anxiety. You can:
- Communicate with teachers: Share your child’s specific challenges so teachers can provide appropriate support in the classroom.
- Explore school resources: Ask about counseling services, accommodations, or programs available to help students manage anxiety.
- Develop a plan: Collaborate with the school to create a plan for managing anxiety, such as having a safe space for breaks or a schedule for check-ins.
Create a morning routine
A consistent and calm morning routine can help reduce anxiety before the school day starts. You can:
- Prepare the night before: Pack lunches, lay out clothes, and review schedules to minimize morning stress.
- Allow extra time: Ensure there’s enough time for breakfast and getting ready so your child doesn’t feel rushed.
- Practice calming activities: Encourage deep breathing or a brief chat about their day to start on a positive note.
Encourage open communication
Help your child express their feelings about school and anxiety. You can:
- Ask specific questions: Instead of general inquiries like “How was school?” try, “What was one thing that felt hard today?”
- Validate their emotions: Let them know it’s okay to feel nervous or worried and that you’re there to help.
- Reassure them: Remind them that challenges are part of learning and they have the support to overcome them.
Teach coping skills for school
Help your child find ways to manage anxious moments during the school day. These might include:
- Deep breathing techniques: Teach them simple exercises to calm themselves during stressful situations, like tests or presentations.
- Visualization: Suggest they imagine a safe, calming place when they feel overwhelmed.
- Positive self-talk: Help them develop phrases like, “I can handle this,” to counter negative thoughts.
Monitor and address physical symptoms
Pay attention to how anxiety affects your child physically and take steps to ease their discomfort.
- Recognize patterns: Look for recurring complaints, such as headaches or stomachaches, that might indicate anxiety.
- Encourage healthy habits: Support good sleep, nutrition, and exercise, which can improve overall well-being and reduce stress.
- Provide breaks: Ensure your child has time to rest and recharge after school.
Final thoughts
Anxiety can make school feel overwhelming, but with the right support, teens can learn to navigate challenges and feel more confident.
If you think your teen could use extra support, programs at Avery’s House are designed to help them feel understood and develop healthy ways to cope. can face peer pressure while remaining true to who they are.
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Sources
1. Mazzone, L., Ducci, F., Scoto, M. C., Passaniti, E., Genitori D’Arrigo, V., & Vitiello, B. (2007). The role of anxiety symptoms in school performance in a community sample of children and adolescents. BMC Public Health, 7, 347. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-7-347
2. Niman, S., Dewa, D. K., & Indriarini, M. Y. (2022). The prevalent anxiety disorders among elementary students in Bandung, Indonesia. Journal of Public Health Research, 10(1 Suppl), e2408. https://doi.org/10.4081/jphr.2021.2408
3. Salter, D., Neelakandan, A., & Wuthrich, V. M. (2024). Anxiety and teacher-student relationships in secondary school: A systematic literature review. Child Psychiatry & Human Development. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-024-01665-7
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