The beginning of a new school term often comes with a blend of excitement, anticipation, and pressure. This period brings a unique set of challenges, the pressure to prepare lesson plans, reconnect with students, meet new ones, navigate school policies, and handle administrative tasks. But with all these demands comes stress, and if not handled properly, it can affect a teacher’s performance and well-being. Teaching is one of the most emotionally demanding professions. While the public often sees teachers as just chalk-and-blackboard facilitators, those in the profession know the reality. From nurturing young minds to handling behavioural challenges and navigating administrative burdens, teachers are often overwhelmed. The first few weeks of resumption can be particularly daunting, especially when students return with varying levels of preparedness and energy, and there’s pressure to hit the ground running. Here are sustainable tips that can help teachers manage stress during the critical back-to-school period.
1. Start With Realistic Planning
One of the leading causes of teacher stress is unrealistic expectations. As much as every educator wants to cover the curriculum perfectly and deliver engaging lessons from day one, it’s important to ease into the term. Break down your plans into manageable chunks. Focus on short-term goals for the first week, like settling students, assessing their previous knowledge, and establishing classroom routines. A realistic plan reduces anxiety and sets a steady tone for the term.encourage
2. Prioritise Self-Care Early On
Self-care isn’t selfish, it’s survival. Especially in the first weeks of school when everything feels rushed, teachers must intentionally schedule moments to rest, eat well, hydrate, and breathe. Whether it’s taking a quiet 10-minute break in the staffroom, listening to music after school, or going on short evening walks, those moments help your brain reset. Nigerian teachers, especially in public schools, often work in stressful environments, and self-care becomes an act of resistance and empowerment.
3. Set Boundaries Between Work and Home
It’s tempting to bring work home, especially when marking books, preparing lessons, and setting exam questions never seem to end. But without boundaries, work will consume your personal life. Establish a cut-off time for schoolwork each day. After that, engage in other aspects of your life, spend time with family, watch a movie, or simply unwind. Healthy boundaries protect you from burnout.
4. Build a Support Network With Colleagues
You’re not alone. One of the best ways to cope with the pressures of a new school term is to lean on your colleagues. Share your concerns, ask for advice, or just talk. Many Nigerian teachers have created informal support systems like small staffroom groups or WhatsApp check-ins, that provide emotional relief. When teachers support each other, everyone feels less isolated, and stress becomes easier to manage.
5. Manage the Classroom With Empathy
The beginning of a school term can be chaotic, especially with younger students adjusting to routine. Rather than focusing solely on discipline, try building relationships from day one. Learn your students’ names, show interest in their well-being, and establish class rules together. A positive classroom climate reduces behavioural issues and makes teaching less stressful. When students feel seen and respected, they are more likely to respond positively.
6. Stay Organised From the Beginning
Clutter and confusion add to stress. Organising your teaching materials, lesson plans, and assessment timelines can help you stay ahead. Label your files, use planning templates, and maintain a weekly schedule. When your workspace and schedule are in order, you’re less likely to feel overwhelmed. You can even use digital tools—like Google Drive or note-taking apps—to simplify planning.
7. Seek Professional Support if Needed
Teachers are givers, but you can’t pour from an empty cup. If stress begins to affect your health, mood, or motivation, don’t hesitate to seek help. Some schools offer counselling support, and if not, consider speaking with a therapist outside school. In cities like Lagos and Abuja, mental health awareness is growing, and there are accessible platforms where teachers can find professional help at affordable rates.
8. Stay Informed and Adaptable
Education in Nigeria is constantly evolving, with new policies, curriculum changes, and technology integration. Staying updated helps reduce the stress of surprise changes. Attend workshops, read education blogs, join teacher communities online. Being proactive makes you feel more in control. Adaptability is a key trait of successful teachers.
9. Focus on What You Can Control
There will always be factors beyond your influence, delayed salaries, lack of teaching aids, overcrowded classrooms. Instead of burning out over what you can’t change, shift your focus to what you can. Your classroom. Your students. Your well-being. Change starts small, and your presence and dedication already make a difference.
10. Keep Your Purpose Close
When stress levels rise, it’s easy to forget why you started teaching in the first place. But your ‘why’ is your anchor. Maybe it’s your passion for helping children learn, your desire to impact lives, or your dream of a better society through education. Reflecting on this purpose helps reignite your motivation, even on the toughest days.
Being a teacher in Nigeria is no easy feat. From navigating systemic challenges to managing daily classroom demands, it takes courage, resilience, and heart. As schools resume for a new term, stress is inevitable, but it’s not insurmountable. By planning intentionally, setting boundaries, practising self-care, and building a support system, teachers can start the term not just prepared but empowered.
