Student Problem-Solving and Resilience
As you prepare to leave school or college, there may be problems or setbacks you face along the way. This could range from unexpected exam results or not getting the place you wanted, to feeling like you’ve made the wrong decision about your course or place of study. Our student problem-solving tips can help.
Firstly, don’t panic. Over the past few years you’ll no doubt have needed to develop essential problem-solving skills and resilience to help you face challenges and deal with change. If you haven’t, or you still need help tackling unexpected problems, we’re here to help. Here are some of the key things you’ll need to know.
You’re not alone
All students and young people feel overwhelmed at some stage and to different degrees, so you’re in good company. Here are the top 5 things that they feel worried or anxious about:
- Academic Stress: Students often face pressure to perform well academically, which can lead to stress, anxiety, and concerns about grades, exams, and homework.
- Peer Relationships: Building and maintaining friendships, dealing with peer pressure, and navigating social dynamics can be sources of worry for students.
- Time Management: Balancing academic responsibilities, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, and personal life can be a major challenge, leading to concerns about time management and work-life balance.
- Future Planning: Students may worry about their future, including choosing the right career path, college or university decisions, and financial concerns related to higher education.
- Mental Health: Increasingly, students are concerned about their mental health. Issues like stress, anxiety, depression, and coping with academic and personal challenges are common worries among students.
It may be useful to know that young adults face their own set of challenges too and you’ll likely encounter set-backs at all stages of life. But don’t worry there are plenty of opportunities too and developing resilience and student problem-solving skills now will set you up for anything life throws your way!
Take a look at this short clip from young professionals in Stockport sharing some of the challenges they faced in their early careers:
Help available at 16+
We’ve produced a range of tools to help you navigate some of the challenges that you may be facing in the next few years and develop core student problem-solving skills:
Test Anxiety
Test anxiety is a common experience for students, and it can feel like an insurmountable obstacle to success. The good news is that with the right strategies and mindset, you can overcome test anxiety and perform your best during exams. Check out our top tips for stress-free studying and conquering test anxiety.
Coping with Change
Starting a new chapter in your academic journey can be both thrilling and daunting. Check out our top tips for navigating these educational transitions, complete with insights on how to cope with change, build resilience, make friends, overcome loneliness, handle increased responsibility, and thrive in your new environment.
And here’s a few more resources on developing the skills you need to tackle these challenges head on:
Having a Back-Up Plan
As you approach the end of school or college, it’s important to recognise that the road ahead might not always unfold exactly as planned. While setting ambitious goals and pursuing your dreams is crucial, it’s equally important to have a well-thought-out Plan B in your arsenal. Find out how to make one so your career goals stay on track.
Developing Student Problem-Solving Skills and a Growth Mindset
Life as a teenager is filled with ups and downs, challenges, and opportunities for personal growth. Developing problem-solving skills and embracing a growth mindset will not only help you navigate the hurdles of adolescence but also set you on a path to success in all areas of life.
Tools for Schools
As part of Post-16 Careers Week, we’ve also produced a range of tools for teachers to use in secondary schools and colleges, but also for students, parents and carers to access at home – sparking ideas and starting conversations about future careers. Here’s some new resources for this year all about developing problem solving skills and resilience to cope with change and build a growth mindset.
