From Focusing on Failure Anxiety to Building Resilient Learning Environments

Over the past few months, our work around failure anxiety has evolved significantly. What started as a targeted approach aimed at helping teachers address failure anxiety in students has grown into a more layered and impactful strategy. Through practice and reflection, we discovered that different target groups require different approaches – and that true impact lies in addressing both prevention and support.

Initially, we focused on equipping teachers with tools to directly tackle failure anxiety in the classroom. However, we quickly realized that teachers benefit more from shifting their focus toward group dynamics. By fostering a positive, safe, and supportive classroom environment, they can prevent failure anxiety from developing in the first place while also promoting overall student well-being. Ultimately, this contributes to reducing qualitative dropout.

To support this shift, we organized a webinar aimed at teachers, focusing on how group dynamics can serve as a powerful preventive tool.

At the same time, we recognized that when failure anxiety does occur, it requires more targeted, individual support. This is where student counselling services play a crucial role. Rather than positioning teachers as the primary responders, we chose to strengthen the capacity of student support staff. For this purpose, we developed and delivered a dedicated workshop, equipping them with the tools and insights needed to guide students effectively.

In parallel, we placed strong emphasis on empowering students themselves. We developed a five-part “power training” designed to help students build resilience, strengthen self-confidence, and learn how to manage stress and failure anxiety. The goal is not only to support them in the moment, but to provide them with lifelong skills.

Bringing these elements together, we are now working toward creating a comprehensive and scalable package that can be implemented by other organizations. This package integrates three key components: prevention through teachers, targeted support through student counselling, and empowerment through student training.

Our journey has led us to an important insight: failure anxiety cannot be effectively addressed by focusing on it in isolation. Instead, it requires a broader approach – one that strengthens the environment, supports key actors, and empowers students themselves.

This integrated vision forms the foundation of our work moving forward.

Writers: Laurien Eylenbosch, Grietje Ost and Cindy Theuns from IVV Sint-Vincentius, Gent, Belgium

We will continue our journey by creating learning and orientation materials (WP4). The package described above is one of the materials and will be published on IPVET-webpage year 2026! So please follow our website for updates: https://www.winnova.fi/ipvet