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Understanding Anxiety Checklist (A)

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Social-Emotional Learning All Ages Strategy

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Anxiety

Understanding Anxiety Checklist (A)

If you struggle with anxiety

What It Is

Everyone struggles with anxiety at times, especially before a big test or project is due. The good news is that some anxiety can be good for you, helping to motivate you to get your work done well. However, too much anxiety can begin to interfere with sleep, health and happiness.

Questions To Ask Yourself In The Classroom

  1. Where can I sit in the room so I feel less anxious? Closer or farther from the teacher? Closer or farther from certain classmates?
  2. Can I keep a squeeze ball and use that when I start to feel anxious to calm myself down?
  3. If I'm concerned I missed something, can I highlight it in my notes and ask the teacher or a friend after class?
  4. If given a choice of assignments or projects, can I pick one that makes me feel more confident and less stressed?
  5. If I'm concerned I don't understand, can I ask a question? I can remind myself that if I don't understand there are likely several others in the class that don't understand also.

Questions To Ask Yourself During Homework

  1. Is there a subject that makes me most anxious? Should I do that first to get it out of the way? Or last so I know I can at least get all my other work done first?
  2. Will a stress ball help if I start to feel anxious? Is there anything else I can do to calm myself down quickly if I feel anxious?
  3. Am I working in a place where I am least likely to be distracted or get upset? Away from siblings, away from the TV, my phone turned off, etc.?
  4. Am I taking more time than I should on an assignment? Is it good enough?
  5. If I'm concerned about my assignment, is there anything I should do now or tomorrow? Ask a friend? Ask the teacher? What would enable me to stop worrying about it?
  6. Is my mind wandering a lot? Am I being forgetful? I know it is harder to concentrate when I am feeling anxious.
  7. Am I feeling anxious? Should I take a break? Maybe exercise for a few minutes to relieve some stress?
  8. Did I check my assignment book to be sure I finished everything I needed to do? Can I comfortably put my work away knowing I finished everything I needed to do?
  9. Am I getting enough sleep? I know sleep is important to help manage anxiety.

Why It Works

Students who possess self-awareness are the most successful learners over the long-term. While most students become more naturally self-aware as they get older, the earlier students begin to take responsibility for their own learning, the more successful they tend to be. Fortunately, adults can help students increase their self-awareness by providing them with balanced, objective feedback and coaching on how to step back and think about their own thinking and approaches.