Exams such as the Enem and college entrance exams are important milestones for many students seeking admission to higher education. Currently, the National High School Exam ( Enem), administered by the Anísio Teixeira National Institute for Educational Studies and Research (Inep), is the primary means of admission to undergraduate programs in the country, whether in public or private institutions.

The process of preparing for and studying for these exams and admissions processes requires energy, discipline, and dedication on the part of the candidates, many of whom are still in high school. As such, schoolwork—with its specific demands—must be balanced with focused study for these exams. The study load typically increases compared to the early years of high school, along with greater expectations and pressure to pass.

In this context, mental health experts and education specialists believe it is important to take care of and pay close attention to the mental health of the young people who will be taking the ENEM and college entrance exams. To this end, educational staff need adequate training, a cultural shift is required, and professionals must take strategic and creative action in the face of limited financial resources.

See also: How to Support Teenagers' Mental Health

School-based psychological support for students taking the Enem and college entrance exams

Experts emphasize that mental health care does not receive the necessary attention and focus from institutions, public policies, and society. In this regard, one of the major challenges is the cultural aspect, since many schools view social-emotional learning as a secondary component of the learning process.

“It is important to recognize that emotional balance is essential in a society that demands dynamism and the most efficient use of time, and where changes occur at a much faster pace than we are biologically accustomed to or prepared for.” — Vinicius Araújo

Vinicius de Paula Aguiar Araújo, academic director at Colégio Anglo São Paulo. Credit: Personal Archive.

Vinicius stresses that it is essential for schools not to adopt a high-pressure approach. Psychological support must be included and addressed in a comprehensive manner, allowing emotional and academic development to go hand in hand, he emphasizes. In his view, it is crucial that psychological support be planned with the same seriousness as the lesson plan, to make it sustainable and meaningful for the school community.

According to Nathália Cippola, a psychologist and career counseling specialist, schools can take a strategic approach by providing a structured study routine with realistic plans. To do so, it is essential to understand and work on time management.

Nathália Cippola, psychologist and career counseling specialist. Credit: Personal Archive.

Family members need to understand that emotional fluctuations among young students preparing for college entrance exams are natural and that it is important to listen to them and offer support. Schools can help by providing training for family members, thereby strengthening and improving family relationships.

See also: Teachers’ Mental Health—Who Takes Care of Those Who Teach?

Challenges Related to Psychological Support in Schools

Among the challenges identified in this debate is the lack of training for professionals who work with students. For this reason, Vinicius believes the starting point should be the literacy and training of the teaching staff. “When educators are prepared to address students’ emotional needs, the school begins to change its culture.”

Schools face practical and structural challenges that make it difficult to provide psychological support to students. Many schools do not have school psychologists, and when they do, these professionals are overburdened. According to Nathália, mental health initiatives are still viewed as “very subjective” and a “waste of time,” leading to a devaluation of something she believes is crucial for students’ chances of gaining admission to higher education.

Another point highlighted by Nathália concerns the lack of time in the school day. School curricula are packed, and the material required for the ENEM and college entrance exams is extensive. In addition, many schools do not allow for greater flexibility in developing strategies to address emotional issues.

As for the reality of limited financial resources, Angelita Traldi, coordinator of the psychology graduate program, points out that schools can adopt a variety of creative, low-cost strategies to ensure this support. Among these is partnering with universities that offer a degree program in psychology. Students from these institutions can complete supervised internships at schools and work directly to provide emotional support to students. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that engage in this type of work can also partner with schools.

Angelita Traldi serves as the coordinator of the psychology program at Anhanguera University. Credit: Grupo Top.

Tools and initiatives to help students

To help provide emotional support to students preparing for the Enem and college entrance exams, educational institutions can develop a range of projects, initiatives, and tools, as suggested by the experts interviewed for this article. See below:

• Discussion Groups
• Study groups
• Mindfulness (a technique aimed at full awareness with a focus on being present in the moment)
• Cognitive Exercises
• Psychological tests

From Vinicius Araújo’s perspective, it is important for the school to be a welcoming environment where students can feel comfortable and study at their own pace. As for the tools, the academic director emphasizes that they should promote self-awareness, emotional regulation, and the development of purpose. These factors are important for a well-rounded and humanistic education and help students navigate the process with less stress, he points out.

When it comes to study groups, coordinator Angelita Traldi believes they are effective in providing students with a space for exchange and fostering a collaborative environment.

In addition, teachers can serve as facilitators in discussions led by students who have already gone through the process of preparing for the Enem and college entrance exams. Nathália Cippola believes that these opportunities can help reduce the isolation that students often experience during their preparation.

Free and digital resources can be used to provide and help develop emotional support materials. Angelita suggests that the teaching staff create informative and practical guides.

For Vinicius, active listening by school staff should be part of their daily routine. Social-emotional programs and solutions need to be integrated into the core curriculum so that students can develop skills to cope with challenging situations, such as empathy, communication, and conflict resolution.

Psychological support should be provided in an integrated manner, with the involvement of the entire school community and the family. Credit: Shutterstock.

School administrators and their staff can also help organize and host cultural, artistic, and athletic events that help reduce students’ anxiety and stress, says Nathália.

Cippola believes that career guidance combined with emotional support helps students make more informed choices about their future. As a result, students can become professionals who are more engaged in their work and who take the lead in making their own choices. This can help strengthen students’ self-esteem and sense of identity and, consequently, make them feel more confident in facing challenges.

“No one learns through fear; no one learns under pressure. So, above all, school needs to be a safe place, and it must have embedded in its very DNA the idea that preparing for college entrance exams is part of a phase of life that is indeed very important, but it is just one of the many challenging moments students will face in life.” — Vinicius Araújo

Araújo believes that this emotional work requires a method, ongoing support, and a pedagogical approach. It is essential to ensure that support is not merely lip service; ongoing training, time for planning, and dedicated time in the school schedule are necessary to make this a consistent part of the school day. “To achieve academic excellence, emotional maturity is essential, and that is built day by day,” he adds.

By Lucas Afonso
Journalist - Brasil Escola

*Content is the sole responsibility of the partner.
**This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bett Brasil.

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