Tackling Exam Stress and Performance Anxiety - especially for board exam

Every year, as board exams approach, classrooms across the country begin to shift. Silence replaces laughter. Pressure replaces curiosity. And for many students, the classroom - a place that once inspired learning becomes a source of intense stress.

As teachers, we’ve seen it firsthand: bright students freezing up during practice tests, confident voices growing quiet, and once-curious learners losing motivation. Why? Because board exams carry enormous emotional weight. They’re seen as “make-or-break” moments not just by students, but by parents, schools, and society at large.

Behind the scenes of every revision test and mock paper lies an anxious mind overthinking, fearing judgment, or simply overwhelmed by expectations.

In the chaos of deadlines, syllabus completion, and exam drills, it’s easy to forget one thing: Our students need us not just as instructors but as anchors, mentors, and emotional allies.

Before we fix the problem, we must understand it. Board exam stress stems from multiple factors:

• Fear of failure

• Parental expectations

• Peer comparisons

• Time pressure

• Unclear study strategy

Often, these issues don’t come up in class discussions, but show through:

• Falling grades,

• Low participation,

• Absenteeism,

• Or sudden emotional outbursts.

As teachers, early identification is key.

What Can Teachers Do? Practical Ways to Help

1. Normalize the Conversation Around Stress

Start openly discussing stress and anxiety in the classroom. Create a safe space where students can express their concerns without fear of judgment.

“Feeling nervous before exams is normal even expected. Let’s talk about it.”

Even a short 5-minute “mental wellness break” during class can go a long way.

2. Shift Focus from Marks to Mastery

A major source of exam stress is the pressure to score high marks. Students often equate their self-worth with numbers and that mindset creates anxiety. As teachers, we can help shift their focus from marks to true understanding.

Encourage students to dig into concepts, ask questions, and think critically. When they understand the “why” behind a topic not just memorize the “what”- they build confidence and long-term retention.

3. Teach Time-Management & Study Skills

Many students don't know how to study efficiently.

Help them:

• Create a realistic study timetable.

• Break subjects into manageable parts.

• Practice past papers under timed conditions.

• Use active recall and spaced repetition techniques.

You can even run a “study strategy” workshop once a week during board prep months.

4. Incorporate Mindfulness and Breathing

Techniques

Board exam stress doesn’t just affect the mind it shows up in the body: racing hearts, tense shoulders, shallow breathing.

Start by introducing 2-3 minute breathing exercises at the beginning or end of a class. It can be as simple as “inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4.” These brief pauses help regulate emotions and reset overwhelmed minds.

By weaving mindfulness into the classroom, you’re not just helping students manage stress you’re giving them lifelong tools for emotional resilience

5. Use Positive Reinforcement Generously

In the pressure-filled weeks leading up to board exams, students are constantly judging themselves and often, quite harshly. As teachers, your words carry immense weight. A single sentence of encouragement can shift a student’s mindset from self-doubt to self-belief.

Be especially generous with praise for effort, consistency, and persistence, not just top scores. For under confident students or late bloomers, that recognition can be the fuel they need to keep going.

Create a culture in your classroom where every small win counts finishing a tough worksheet, asking a difficult question, or even showing up and trying again after a setback.

6. Recognize When It’s More Than Just ‘Exam Stress’

If a student shows:

• Constant fatigue,

• Panic attacks,

• Withdrawal,

• Or extreme mood changes,

It may be time to involve the school counselor or a mental health professional. Early intervention can be life-changing.

Teachers: You’re Not Just Educators You’re Anchors

Remember, during exam season, your role shifts from being just a teacher to being a mentor, guide, and emotional anchor.

Even a simple:

“You’re doing better than you think” can become a lifeline for a stressed-out student.

Conclusion

Board exams are often seen as a test of intelligence. But in truth, they are a deeper test of resilience, balance, emotional control, and support systems. And that’s where teachers have the most power to make a lasting impact.

While we may not be able to change the pressure of the system overnight, we can change how our students experience it. A teacher who notices when a student is anxious. A teacher who pauses a lecture to talk about balance. A teacher who says, “I believe in you” not because the marks say so, but because the effort shows it.

You have the opportunity to shape how your students remember this phase of their lives. Will it be remembered as a blur of fear and sleepless nights? Or will it be remembered as the time they discovered their strength with you cheering them on in the background?

Let’s move beyond just preparing them to pass exams. Let’s prepare them to face life’s pressures with confidence, clarity, and courage.

You’re not just teaching a subject you’re shaping the mindset of a generation. And that, truly, is the most powerful role in the room.