If you have kids in high school, you don't need any reminders about how stressful those years can be. It's easy for them to feel like their whole future hangs in the balance.

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Study Without Stress (SWoS) is a 6-week psychoeducational program designed by Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia for students in years 10 to 12. It equips them with knowledge and practical tips on how to approach and overcome the stress associated with heavy workload and exams in the final years of high school.  Students are encouraged to participate in the program before stress has reached a severe level, however the program can be beneficial at any time.  The program uses Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) techniques to help participants get the most out of their final years at school while keeping stress to a manageable level.

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SWOS is an active, solution-focused program and involves learning new skills, practicing those skills in-session and then applying the skills to real life situations to create lasting change. SWOS focuses on thoughts and expectations about study, as well as actual behaviours, such as procrastination and study habits.

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The program covers the following topics:

• Understanding stress (including causes, symptoms and the role of the stress response)

• Goal setting

• Managing expectations and beliefs about exams

• Creating effective timetables

• Learning how thoughts can affect performance

• Challenging negative or unhelpful thinking patterns

• Understanding perfectionism

• Understanding procrastination

• Tips to deal with work avoidance

• Building good study habits

• Procedures for problem solving

• Exam preparation

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The program runs for 6 weekly 90-minute sessions, with 6-8 participants per group. The cost is CAD$440 + applicable taxes. This includes the cost of the workbook.

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