5 Tips to Combat End of the Year Stress

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This time of year is stressful for teachers and students. By managing your stress levels, your classroom will be more calm. In turn, that will help your students' stress level too. Check out the tips below:

Tip 1: Make a list

As simple as this sounds, making a list is an effective way to begin dealing with stress that comes with the MOUNTAIN of tasks a teacher has at this time of year. Making a list can also help you manage your time. Consider batching similar tasks and setting aside chunks of time for those tasks, as opposed to going from one thing to another, then back again. Focusing on a set of similar tasks can help prevent your mind from wandering. Although if it does, just add to your list!

Tip 2: Don't give yourself too much grading

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Culminating tests or projects are important for you to assess what your students have learned and may even be required by your district or for your grade level/subject. I am in no way suggesting you just don't give them! However, they don't have to add more stress. 

Consider making your tests digital.  You type it up once, and then all multiple-choice questions are graded for you. The only parts you need to look at are the short answer/essay questions. This can be done easily in Google Forms. Or, if you are like me, and projects are more your speed, you can make grading easier by having a clear rubric. You can also maximize your time by grading (at least part of the project) while the students are presenting!

Tip 3: Get outside

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The weather has started to warm up for most of us, in the Northern Hemisphere anyway! Going outside to get some fresh air and vitamin D can really perk you up. Take that grading and to-do list with you! (Pssst....I'm outside writing this post!) Alternatively, take your class outside. It'll benefit your students too!

Tip 4: Stay healthy

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Eating healthily and getting enough exercise is always important, but the benefits can really be noticed during periods of stress.  I'll admit it though, this one is the most difficult for me. 

To stay hydrated, try keeping a bottle of water on your desk. When you need a brain break (yes, teachers need them too!) drink some water, walk around the room, and do some stretches.

Tip 5: Reflect

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Reflection is important. It's common to give students reflection assignments at the end of the year, but with everything else going on, we often forget to reflect ourselves. The successes and failures in lessons and classroom management techniques are fresher in your memory now than they will be when you sit down at the beginning of next year and try to look back.

Plus, looking back on all the things that went well this year will help you feel good!

Summer is almost here, hang in there!

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