Tips on Overcoming Student Teaching Anxiety

With everything involved in the experience, it’s no wonder that some people experience student teaching anxiety. Rather than give in to the anxiety, here are some things that can be done to cope and overcome any student teaching anxiety that you may experience.

Use Breathing Techniques

Before arriving at school, take some time to envision how you want class to go that day. Positive visualization along with breathing techniques can help you relax and put you on the right track for success. I listened to classical music on the way to school each day. It gave me time to go through my lesson plans in my mind and relax before I even arrived on campus.

Have a Sense of Humor

anxiety

“The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache.”

I love this quote from Marjorie Pay Hinckley. It reminds me that I get to choose how to react in every situation. When it comes to student teaching, we can choose to be discouraged and sad. Or we can smile and laugh our way through tough situations.

I like making teaching fun and finding reasons to laugh throughout the day. One way to do this is to include fun things to do in lesson plans, such as pop culture references, video clips, songs, and review games.

Develop Classroom Rituals to Start Class

For people with anxiety, the beginning of the day is the hardest part. Take away the pressure and anxiety by developing a ritual to start class. It could be an activity that students do while you’re speaking to anyone who missed the previous class or finishing the final preparations for the day.

You should also consider having a good news minute where students can share fun or interesting news from their lives. This is a great way to take the spotlight away from you for the first few minutes every day.

Rely on Handouts and Technology to Convey Information

If you don’t like to stand in front of the class and speak for long periods of time, consider using materials to convey the information for you. You could

  • Print off handouts and have students read it aloud
  • Create a poster
  • Have students create posters
  • Hand out graphic organizers
  • Show a PowerPoint

Using these materials allow you to get information to students without having to stay in the spotlight for too long.

Pay Attention to Your Physical Health

One of the best ways to release stress and anxiety is to take care of yourself. Aim to exercise for 30 minutes every day, get sufficient sleep, and eat a well-balanced diet.

Be Prepared

A lot of anxiety comes from a lack of preparedness. You worry that you won’t have enough activities planned, the technology won’t work, or the students won’t participate. Preparation helps overcome the anxiety. Make sure that you’ve taken the time to prepare your lesson, checked the technology, and reviewed everything with your mentor teacher. The more prepared that you are, the smoother the day will go and the less anxiety that you’ll feel.

Remember Why You’re a Teacher

When things get tough or the anxiety seems to feel overwhelming, take a moment to remember why you want to become a teacher. Consider writing your reason down and placing it somewhere that you can refer to on a regular basis.

By the way, sign up for our 1 Week Free Trial to try out Magoosh Praxis Prep!

Author

  • Jamie Goodwin

    Jamie graduated from Brigham Young University- Idaho with a degree in English Education. She spent several years teaching and tutoring students at the elementary, high school, and college level. She currently works as a contract writer and curriculum developer for online education courses. In her free time, she enjoys running and spending time with her boys!

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2 Responses to Tips on Overcoming Student Teaching Anxiety

  1. Amanda January 27, 2020 at 8:38 AM #

    This is giving me anxiety. I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing. I used to enjoy going in but now I feel dread. When I watched my MT and then imitated the next period I enjoyed myself. Now I’m having to come up with my own lessons I feel like a trapped animal.

    I feel my anxiety and depression creeping up on me. I panicked the other day in class.

    I feel like I’m not prepared to take on this role yet.

    I’m getting headaches all the time now. I’m not sleeping well. I’m not happy and I feel like crying. It doesn’t feel normal and I don’t know what to do.

    • Magoosh Expert
      Magoosh Test Prep Expert February 7, 2020 at 3:36 PM #

      Hi Amanda,

      I’m so sorry to hear about this! I recommend that you reach out to experienced teachers and perhaps a mental health professional or counselor for some strategies on how to deal with these negative emotions. This sounds more serious than just some mild student teacher anxiety, and I encourage you to seek professional help.


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