Many students today are grappling with high expectations, performance anxiety, and a drive for perfection that can impact both their wellbeing and learning. This session explores how schools can unintentionally contribute to academic stress, and offers practical strategies to shift the culture, communicate expectations more effectively, and support students to manage pressure, build resilience, and thrive.
Key ideas that will be covered include:
- Develop a clear understanding of academic pressure and perfectionism and how they present in students
- Identify common school practices and messages that may unintentionally reinforce pressure
- Explore the impact of stress on student performance using the Yerkes-Dodson model
- Learn strategies to foster positive, process-focused messaging and assessment approaches
- Strengthen communication skills around goal-setting and managing expectations with students
- Gain practical tools to support student coping, resilience, and wellbeing
This course includes:
- 1hr video
- Slides + resources
- Access at any time
Who is it for?
- Pastoral carers (e.g. year level leaders, heads of house, deputy)
Presented by:
- Dr Matt O'Connor


