How to handle fear for the future: A guide for Year 12 students

Year 12 students are concerned about what their future will look like given all the current uncertainty and change. This lesson will provide an opportunity for students to examine the emotions they are feeling and to identify coping strategies that will best support these emotions.

Year Level

11-12

Duration

5 minutes

Type

  • In class activity
  • Whole-school and year assemblies
  • Online learning

SEL Competencies

  • Self-awareness
  • Responsible decision-making

Learning Intention

Year 12 students can identify the emotions they are experiencing and can choose coping strategies that will best support their needs.

Key Outcomes

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

  • identify the emotions they are currently feeling
  • explain the coping strategies they can use to support their needs.
Activity 01

Instructions 5 min

  1. Ask students to read the ReachOut.com article ‘How to handle fear about the future: A guide for Year 12 students
  2. Ask students to write down all the different emotions they are currently feeling. Remind them to notice, rather than judge, these emotions.
  3. Ask students to develop a personal care plan for the next month using coping strategies identified in the article or their own ideas.

In the care plan:

  • Identify two or three different coping strategies to use.
  • Create a link between the emotion they are feeling and the coping strategy – e.g. using slow breathing to manage anxiety; staying connected to support feelings of loneliness.
  • Identify how often they will use this strategy – e.g. number of times a week; length of time.