When students enter a classroom at the start of a semester, they may experience varying degrees of fear and anxiety. Some of them settle down quickly, but others remain tense and anxious. The nervousness and fear they experience can affect their ability to learn. Understanding fear, its causes and its impact is important for educators.

What causes students to experience fear?

Fear is the dark side of education and can have many negative consequences. Why do students experience it?

• They believe that they won’t perform well enough and will face punishment for poor performance. They fear writing exams and failing them.
• They compare themselves to others. This results in performance anxiety and a lack of self-confidence.
• Some students are shy and hate to be singled out. Others fear that their classmates will laugh at them.
• Cultural factors often play a large role in perpetuating fear. Black students have a history of fear due to racism which affects their present-day experience in classrooms. Immigrants feel their ‘foreignness’ in U.S. classrooms.

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The ‘fight or flight’ response

When stress levels are too high, they have a negative effect on learning. It is difficult to focus when the brain is flooded with ‘fight or flight’ hormones. The amygdala in the brain is like a watchdog that starts barking when it senses a threat. It pumps a surge of stress hormones into the body to respond to the threat.

This type of reaction may occur in Black students when they face racist actions. It may occur in immigrants when they feel confusion about what’s happening in class.

A variety of symptoms occur when experiencing a ‘fight or flight’ response. Some of these are shortness of breath, palpitating hearts, pallor, and sweating. Students may become easily agitated and frustrated. They can’t concentrate or remember what they learn.

Educators who can recognize the biological effects of fear, such as blushing and sweating, can be more proactive. They can actively help a student to feel more comfortable in class.

Consequences of a constantly high level of fear

Consistently experiencing a high level of fear can result in a number of negative consequences. This may result in inappropriate behavior in class, not handing in assignments, and often being absent from class. Students experiencing fear may drop out of a course at the first sign of any difficulties.

Educators need to recognize that some fears are associated with factors outside of the classroom. Many of those from disadvantaged backgrounds lack opportunities their peers may have. They may not have access to resources like books, laptops etc. Other factors like having multiple jobs, family challenges and financial troubles can affect their behavior and performance.

Educators need to engage students in dialogue about their challenges and help them find ways to manage them. This may help to make them feel more involved and committed.

Strategies to help students to manage fear

Educators need strategies to help students to conquer their fears and make the most of their educational experiences.

Help them to become aware of their feelings: Educators should help students to become aware of feelings as they happen. They are often unaware that some of their responses are due to fear and feel they can’t control them. Demonstrating simple anxiety management techniques can help. They can learn how to do deep breathing and use other relaxation techniques before doing high-stress activities such as group discussions or quizzes.  

Create a calm environment: Using multiple methods of student engagement and learner-centered activities can help to create a nurturing environment. Educators should make sure all instructions are clear, so everyone understands what to do. Promoting cultural fairness helps to make all students feel safe.

Offer helpful resources: Various universities offer counseling services, workshops etc., to help reduce fear and anxiety in students. Educators should be aware of what their educational institution has to offer so they can point them in the right direction. They should have a list of key resources and contact numbers to share.

Conclusion

Many students going to high school or college for the first time feel a level of fear and anxiety. It tends to dissipate quite quickly for many, but for others, it continues. Fear hinders their ability to connect meaningfully and affects their academic performance. Educators need to understand the sources of their fears so they can promote a safe environment for learning.

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