We’re in the height of exam season with SATs and GCSE’s and whilst we appreciate this is a time our children and young people are feeling under pressure and stressed it can also impact teacher wellbeing as well. It’s important to recognise and accept that exam season could also be stressful for you and consider how to navigate it feeling ok!
Here are five tips for coping in exam season:
- Pause and reflect
Often it can feel like there isn’t enough time in the day to complete all of the mounting tasks but it is important for your mental health and wellbeing to create opportunities to pause and reflect. Build pockets of time into the day where you can.
- Set clear boundaries
Easier said than done especially when we want to support all of our students to do their best and get through their exams but it is important to keep in mind what is in your best interests and this may include saying no to requests on your time where possible.
- Include time for exercise and mindfulness
Exercise, even in short bursts, can burn off stress hormones and improve sleep. Mindfulness can act as a useful activity to bring yourself back to the present moment and could be practised in small moments of time in between classes/travelling to or from work.
- You are not alone
Your colleagues will likely be feeling similar feelings of stress during exam season. Reaching out and having open conversations about how you are feeling about your mental health and wellbeing can help you feel supported.
- Protect ‘you’ time
Part of setting boundaries is protecting time to do something you enjoy. This might just be chatting with a colleague over coffee on your lunch break, playing a podcast on your way home or firmly setting aside a few minutes to read a book/listen to music etc in the evening.
Published: May 21