As we head into Term 4, the weariness isn’t just showing in our students—it’s something we all feel. Yet, as educators, we understand the value of each day. Once it’s gone, we don’t get it back. There’s a saying, “The days are long, but the years are short,” which feels especially fitting as we look back on the year. Recognising that each day is an opportunity for growth and learning—an opportunity we don’t want our students to miss due to fatigue.
We’re all aware of the statistics on how much learning time is lost when students are absent. But what about the learning and experiences lost when our young people, and sometimes we ourselves, push through the day feeling exhausted? Teachers across Australia often report the same scenario: students regularly check-in tired. And often, behind those tired eyes, there’s a story waiting to be heard.
One such story stands out. A school noticed a pattern of students from the same class feeling particularly tired on certain days. After some gentle questioning, they discovered the reason—these students were waking up in the middle of the night to game online together, and their parents had no idea. It’s easy to say, “That’s the parents’ responsibility,” but supporting student well-being means understanding the root causes of fatigue. Collecting continuous wellbeing data through student voice and opening a conversation with families can make the difference between simply labelling a student as tired and truly understanding what’s going on in their lives. In these cases, a student’s voice is essential, offering a perspective that’s often more complex than it may first appear.
As we approach the end of the school year, here are seven practical strategies for supporting tired students in our classrooms. Each offers a chance to teach something beyond the day’s lesson.
- Teach the Difference Between Physical and Mental Tiredness
Tiredness isn’t always physical; it can also be mental. Physical tiredness may come from lack of sleep, while mental tiredness can result from stress, excessive screen time, or overthinking. Helping students distinguish between the two empowers them to find the right ways to recharge - a skill that will serve them well beyond school.
Tip: Start a simple classroom discussion about how different types of tiredness feel, and encourage students to share their own experiences. This can lead to learning different strategies to manage both types, like exercise for physical tiredness and mindfulness for mental fatigue.
- Promote Good Sleep Practices
Many students aren’t aware of simple habits that can improve sleep quality. Even straightforward changes, like dimming screens before bed or creating a calming pre-sleep routine, can make a big difference. Teaching these habits early gives students skills they’ll benefit from for years to come.
Tip: Introduce an activity where students design their “ideal bedtime routine.” This could involve screen-free time, listening to calming music, or getting things ready for the next day. Such conversations can lead to small, positive changes that support better sleep.
- Kick Off the Day with 15 Minutes of Movement
Starting the day with a short exercise routine can help wake everyone up and increase focus. Movement increases blood flow, activates muscles, and sharpens the mind, which is especially useful in the early morning hours.
Tip: If it fits into your schedule, start each day with a quick session of stretching, light yoga, or even a short walk outside if the weather allows. This can set a positive tone and boost energy in a way that coffee or sugary snacks can’t.
- Use Continuous Fatigue as a Signal to Investigate Deeper Issues
Tiredness can sometimes signal a bigger issue, whether it’s a mental health concern, social stress, or academic overload. When a student reports feeling tired regularly, it can be an opportunity to check-in on how they’re really doing, especially if they’re dealing with something difficult.
Tip: Create a space where students feel comfortable sharing more than just surface-level issues. This could be a quiet spot in the classroom or regular one-on-one check-ins. Let them know you’re there to support them, not just academically but in every area of their well-being.
- Incorporate Time Management Skills into Lessons
Time management is crucial for balancing schoolwork, activities, and rest, especially as students get older and their responsibilities increase. Many students simply haven’t learned how to organise their time effectively, which often leads to late nights or last-minute cramming.
Tip: Dedicate a short session each week to time management exercises, like setting goals, prioritising tasks, or breaking assignments into smaller steps. When students can balance their time better, they often feel less tired and perform better academically.
- Teach Relaxation and Stress-Reduction Techniques
Today’s students face all kinds of pressures, from academic demands to social media to personal concerns. Teaching relaxation techniques can give them tools to calm their minds, reduce stress, and ultimately improve their sleep quality.
Tip: Practise simple breathing exercises or mindfulness activities in class. Even a few minutes of guided relaxation can make a noticeable difference, especially on busy days. These techniques not only reduce stress but also help students become more aware of when they need to rest. Free mindfulness cards
- Engage Families in Conversations About Fatigue
Involving parents can be key when it comes to ongoing tiredness. However, discussing these patterns in a way that invites partnership is crucial. Rather than simply reporting that a student is tired, try sharing specific observations you’ve made. This approach allows for a collaborative conversation that invites proactive support.
Tip: Start by sharing specific observations from class, such as noticing patterns of tiredness on certain days, and encourage parents and students to offer their own insights. If you’re using Life Skills GO, you can print off the learner profile; many schools have found this particularly helpful during Parent-Teacher interviews. Additionally, showing parents the reports and data can support your conversation and help track behavioural patterns over time. This approach invites everyone’s perspective and often uncovers details that might not surface in a traditional parent-teacher discussion.
Viewing tiredness as a starting point rather than an endpoint allows us to turn it into a learning moment for our students and ourselves. This term let’s use these practical strategies to empower students to take charge of their well-being. Each day is an opportunity to reinforce healthy habits, strengthen resilience, and encourage self-care skills they can carry with them through life. After all, while the days may feel long, the years truly are short, and every moment we invest in our students matters.
Yet, remember to put on your own oxygen mask first. What’s one thing you can take from the above and apply in your own life to support you through the rest of the term?
