Managing

Academic Stress

School Counselor: Ms. Drzewiecki Date: December 3, 2015
Activity: Managing Academic Stress
Grade(s):9th Grade
ASCA Student Standards (Domain/Standard/Competencies):
Academic Development
Standard A: Students will acquire the attitudes, knowledge and skills that attribute to affective
learning in school and across lifespan.
A:A2: Acquire Skills for Improving Learning
A:A2.1: Apply time-management and task-management skills
A:A2.2: Demonstrate how effort and persistence positively affect learning
A:A2.3: Use communications skills to know when and how to ask for help when needed
A:A2.4: Apply knowledge and learning styles to positively influence school performance

Learning Objective(s):

1. Students will learn about the different types of stress and how it can negatively impact
learning and academic performance potential.
2.Students will learn new coping and relaxation techniques
3. Students will learn time management and study skills to help manage stress.

Materials: Pre and post-test, Group Activity Directive to include short story, radio, drum,
computer to show video about stress (4minutes and 40 seconds), Stress Weighing Down on
Grades handout, Progressive Muscle Relaxation worksheet, Relaxed Breathing worksheet, Time
Management worksheet, Time Management Suggestion handout, Study Skills handout.

Procedure:
1. Introduction (5minutes) School counselor begins by providing pre-test for students to
complete. Then, school counselor explains focus of lesson being improving academic success by
managing stress and time more effectively.
2. Group activity (5 minutes) Activity to teach how stress and distractions can impede on
comprehension of information and test performance. See attached directive for group activity
details.
3. Activity Follow-up (10 minutes) Discuss group activity.

-How did it feel to learn under those conditions?

- What was the hardest part of it?
-Watch video (4:40). See attached link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s93ywqFa6CM
- Discuss facts about decrease in academic performance due to stress levels and ineffective time
management. Provide and review Stress Weighing Down on Grades handout. See attached
handout.
4. Stress management techniques (7 minutes)
- Relaxed Breathing handout and practice as a group. See attached form.
-Progressive Muscle Relaxation handout and practice as a group. See attached form.
5. Time Management (8 minutes)
-Hand out Time Management chart (blanks copies for them to use later, and a copy to use now).
See attached form
Discuss prioritizing assignments and studying for tests with any extracurricular and self-care
time as well. Provide example chart, and have them complete their chart for the week.
Provide Study Skills Handout.
6. Closing (5 minutes)
Post-test and highlight resources at Kenwood section of Stress Weighing Down on Grades for
students seeking out academic and stress management help.

Plan for Evaluation: How will each of the following be collected?
Process Data: At least 90% of freshman will participate in the Managing Academic Stress
lesson.
Perception Data: 80% of students can identify at least one sign of anxiety and at least one way
to manage academic responsibilities.
Outcome Data: Freshman finals scores will be an average of 5% higher overall than the
previous freshman class fall finals scores.
Follow Up: In January 2016, after fall semester finals are completed, the school counselor will
meet with students who participated in Managing Academic Stress and received a 70% or
lower on final exams. They will review management and study skills and management
techniques. The School Counselor will also provide and recommend resources for academic
assistance at Kenwood Academy.