Fail Better: How Teachers Can Help Students Overcome Failure, Perfectionism, Procrastination, Imposter Syndrome and Test Anxiety

Mark Roberts is the author of the bestsellers Boys Don’t Try? and The Boy Question. He also writes for Tes on subjects including pedagogy and educational research. Mark is Director of Research and an English teacher at Carrickfergus Grammar School in Northern Ireland.

"Fail Better gets deep into the weeds of how to help students help themselves."Peps Mccrea, Director of Education at Steplab"Fail Better is a vital and timely book for teachers and the students they teach. It explores the emotional landscape of learning which too often gets ignored. By covering topics from perfectionism to procrastination, impostor syndrome to silencing your inner critic, Roberts has produced a rare feat: a book that should be read by every teacher."Alex Quigley, author and Head of Content and Engagement at the Educational Endowment Fund (EEF)"This is a very useful book – for parents, teachers and everyone else who works with, and wants the best for, young people. Packed with practical advice and based on a wealth of the latest evidence, it brilliantly summarises how we can help people meet their aspirations in a world where it is tough to be young. Mark Roberts does not shy away from the main challenges – so, if schools, colleges and universities all listen to his sage advice, then more people will meet their aspirations. I only wish this book had existed back when I was a classroom teacher."Nick Hillman, Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI)"Fail Better is a smart, practical guide that helps educators tackle the hidden obstacles to student success – not through superhuman effort, but by focusing on what’s already within their reach. Each chapter unpacks a familiar student struggle – like imposter syndrome or procrastination – and explores how teachers can shape the environment, refine instruction, and harness subtle, everyday interactions to reduce anxiety and build motivation. Grounded in research and classroom reality, Fail Better is the latest entry in Roberts’ quest to help educators create the conditions where all students – not just the self-starters – can thrive."Zach Groshell, Teacher, Seattle, USA. Host of Progressively Incorrect and Author of Just Tell Them"What a poignant book for all involved in education! Fail Better provides such thoughtful insight and practical advice to assist students with a plethora of real issues that impact their lives, inside and outside the classroom.Every teacher can think of students they've taught that could have benefitted from the advice in Fail Better."Blake Harvard, author and psychology teacher, Madison, Alabama"Fail Better is a much needed and powerful text.Many students – and indeed, teachers – face daily struggles with perfectionism and imposter syndrome which impact upon confidence, resilience and a willingness to embrace challenge. This text provides powerful insights into the research behind why students struggle to recover from failure and why they can be risk adverse with their learning. Importantly, Roberts provides practical strategies to help students reflect, persevere and overcome their fear of failure. Fail Better is a must read!"Alex Fairlamb, Trust Teaching & Learning Network Lead and Assistant Principal"As a teacher and leader who has struggled with perfectionism, procrastination and the inner critic, and has taught far too many students struggling with the same challenges, I found these chapters incredibly insightful and empowering!The book delves deeper into understanding the causes and impact of each issue with a clear and precise focus on how to support young people to overcome these challenges. The varying activities shared generously by Roberts encourage self-reflection and goal oriented actions which will inevitably support every teacher to encourage their students to move away from perfectionism and towards owning their achievements. A highly recommended read!"Yamina Bibi, author, senior leader, English teacher, coach and consultant

• Foreword by Bradley BuschIntroduction1: Why don’t students learn from failure?2: Helping students to fail forwards3: Why do some students struggle with perfectionism?4: Helping students to strive for excellence5: Why do some students procrastinate?6: Helping students to seize the day7: Why do some students experience impostor syndrome?8: Helping students to silence their inner critic9: Why do some students have test anxiety?10: Helping students to respond positively to academic stress