As part of the Skills Workshops of the Fifth Grade (E’1 and E’2), our theme was "I Care and Act – Social Awareness and Responsibility." We focused on the topic of volunteering and listened in class to a podcast in which high school and middle school students interviewed the head of the volunteer department of the organization "Doctors of the World."
This served as the starting point for our own creation. The students suggested creating a podcast on the topic of "Student Anxiety." The idea for the topic of anxiety came from the students, as we had previously conducted a relevant activity with the school psychologist. The students proposed interviewing the psychologist, thus creating a podcast aimed at students, parents, and educators. We discussed how, through the voices of the students themselves, the podcast could highlight the importance of mental health, raise awareness, and offer practical solutions.
Initially, the students shared their personal experiences with anxiety in their daily lives. We categorized their responses into three main areas: School – Friends – Home, and based on this, we created a questionnaire, which was distributed to students in the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grades of our school. We designated individuals to take videos and photos throughout the project. The Fifth Grade students presented their idea and asked their classmates to answer anonymously and honestly. The questionnaires were collected, the answers analyzed, and based on them, questions for the interview were created. At the same time, we chose the name of the show, created a poster and logo, and selected the opening and closing music. The podcast speakers and the psychologist prepared for the interview, and the recording then took place. Afterward, sound editing was done, along with the selection of photos and videos, in order to create a complete project that reflects the entire process of our activity.
With this entry in the competition "Make It Heard 2025," we hope to make the voice of the students heard loudly, giving space for dialogue about anxiety and mental health within the school community.


Did You Say It or Did They Say It ?

Student 1: Dear friends, hello! Welcome to the show "Did you say it or did they say it?"
Student 2: Today, we’re here for a podcast about student anxiety.
Student 1: Our discussion will include the school psychologist, who will help us understand why we feel anxiety in our daily lives and suggest ways to deal with it.
Psychologist: Hello, kids! I’m very happy to be here with you to discuss a topic that concerns many students.
Student 2: We are also happy that you’re giving us the chance to make this podcast together. Would you like to start by explaining what anxiety is?
Psychologist: Anxiety is the body's natural response to demanding or stressful situations. It can be accompanied by emotional and physical symptoms such as worry, irritability, sweating, rapid heartbeat, headaches, etc. Anxiety can have both positive and negative effects. In small doses, it motivates us to meet our responsibilities and encourages us to achieve our goals, like before an exam. If we’re anxious about it, we are more likely to study and prepare properly. However, when it is excessive or lasts for a long time, it can negatively affect our health.
Student 1: At our school, we conducted a survey to understand what stresses our classmates the most. Many responded that schoolwork and exams are the main sources of their anxiety. Would you like to tell us what the most common reasons are that students feel anxious about school and exams?
Psychologist: Many students get anxious about exams because they may doubt their abilities and fear that they won’t perform well. The fear of failure is very stressful! At the same time, lack of preparation time, an overload of subjects, and difficulties in managing time and organizing study sessions increase anxiety. Finally, external pressures from family and friends, as well as high expectations from others, increase the pressure.
Student 2: And how can we manage the anxiety we feel before a test or an exam?
Psychologist: Managing anxiety is important for performing at our best. Proper preparation before an exam is key! You can create a study schedule, break the material into smaller sections, or make mind maps. Do frequent revisions and practice with the types of questions that will be on the exam. It’s important to set realistic goals without putting too much pressure on yourself and practice thinking positively. For example, instead of saying “I’m not good enough, I will fail,” you could say, “I will try my best, and I will succeed.” And something very important: don’t forget the beneficial effects of proper nutrition and good sleep before an exam. Finally, if the anxiety is intense and persistent, talk about it with your teacher or parents and practice relaxation strategies, which we will mention later.
Student 1: In our survey, many students said that what stresses them the most in everyday life are their relationships with friends.
Psychologist: This happens quite often. Peer relationships are important, and they can sometimes be a source of anxiety.
Student 2: So, how can we manage anxiety caused by conflicts with friends or the feeling of not belonging to a group?
Psychologist: What you can do is try to think about your feelings and the reasons behind them. After an argument, ask yourself, "Why do I feel this way?" "What went wrong?" "What could I have done differently?" Understanding the problem is the first step towards solving it. Then, you can talk about it with an adult you trust or with the person you had the conflict with. Try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes, something we call empathy. And finally, communicate your needs and boundaries clearly—what you would like and what you don’t. Honest communication can resolve misunderstandings.
Student 1: I believe that sometimes kids don’t dare to react and don’t talk to anyone about their fears.
Student 2: I agree. Can you tell us how we should react when we are teased or bullied at school?
Psychologist: As we said earlier, it’s important to talk to someone and not keep it inside. Inform your parents and a teacher you trust about what’s happening. The support of an adult can be very helpful. Also, seek support from your friends—talk to close friends who understand the situation. Their support can help you feel less alone. Finally, for some teasing, it might help to respond with humor and stay calm. This usually discourages the people who are bullying.
Student 1: In our classrooms, we have created relaxation corners. Is this something that can help us when we feel anxious while at school?
Psychologist: This is wonderful! You can go there whenever you feel you need to.
Student 2: Can you suggest any other effective techniques to manage anxiety when it arises suddenly, whether we are at school or not?
Psychologist: Practicing relaxation techniques is another way to manage anxiety. One technique that can help you is diaphragmatic or relaxing breathing. Let me explain it right now. Sit in a comfortable position. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen. Remember, the relaxing breath is the one where your abdomen rises, not your chest. Take a breath that makes your belly expand like a balloon (1, 2, 3), hold the air for a bit (4, 5), and slowly exhale through your mouth (6, 7, 8, 9). Repeat so that your total breaths don’t exceed 4.
Student 2: What can teachers do to help us feel less anxious at school?
Psychologist: Creating a supportive environment in the classroom is very important. Children should feel safe to express their concerns and make mistakes without fear of criticism. It’s good for teachers to be by your side, ready to encourage and support you whenever you need it. Lastly, promoting healthy discussion and teaching problem-solving techniques is essential.
Student 1: And you, as a psychologist, how can you help our classmates who struggle to manage their anxiety?
Psychologist: Individual counseling sessions with the school psychologist aim to recognize the problem the student is facing and manage it. The psychologist helps children identify the sources of their anxiety, understand what’s happening, and talk about their feelings. Then, they teach effective strategies for managing anxiety and problem-solving, like the ones we’ve mentioned earlier. At the same time, the psychologist works closely with parents and teachers to co-create a calm and supportive school environment for the students.
Student 2: To finish our interview, would you like to suggest some simple exercises or ways to apply in our daily lives?
Psychologist: It’s important to emphasize the need for a healthy lifestyle. Eat well, get enough sleep, exercise or do whatever you enjoy, take breaks, and set limits on screen time. When you find yourself in a demanding and stressful situation, apply anxiety-management techniques and ask for help. Talk about what concerns you and don’t suppress your feelings.
Student 1: Thank you very much! The advice you gave us is really helpful for all of us!
Psychologist: Thank you!
Student 2: Dear friends, that was "Did you say it or did they say it?"! See you next week with another interesting topic!
Student 1: And remember: Stay calm, believe in yourself, and aim for the best!


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Did You Say It or Did They Say It ?

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