390 © 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd and The Association for the Study of Medical Education. THE CLINICAL TEACHER 2019; 16: 390–394 Original Article … thinking stress is not bad has a protective effect against stress and may enhance well- being Student belief about the value of challenge JR Rudland 1 , C Golding 2 , C Jaye 3 , M Tweed 4 and TJ Wilkinson 5 1 Division of Health Sciences, Otago Medical School, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand 2 Higher Education Development Centre, Dunedin, New Zealand 3 Department of General Practice and Rural Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, Dunedin, New Zealand 4 Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand 5 Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand SUMMARY Background: The undergraduate curriculum tends to focus on how individuals can cope with stress especially when transi- tioning from the classroom to the clinical workplace environ- ment. Often this carries the message that stress is bad, yet little attention has been paid to the influence of one’s belief regarding the value of stress for learning. Because stress is often perceived as bad, we chose to use the term ‘challenge’ in exploring the associations amongst belief of the value of challenge, the challenge experienced, the perceived learning, affect and staff support. Methods: At the end of each clinical module within a medical curriculum, medical students rated the perceived learning, degree of challenge, affect, support and the value of challenge for learning. The value and associations amongst these variables were analysed. Results: The challenge for students varied according to the type of module. Students gener- ally considered that challenge promoted rather than hindered learning. The level of challenge experienced may influence the perception of the value of challenge for learning. However, when challenge was regarded as beneficial, this was strongly, positively associated with perceived learning, positive affect and support. Discussion: Students who believe challenge is positive also perceive that such challenges promote learning. Likewise students who regard challenge as negative are less likely to learn from such challenges. The positive relation- ship between the belief of the value of challenge with affect and support may have positive implications for well-being. It is contended that curriculum planners should acknowledge the potential positive influence of stressors in clinical education and that challenge can be seen as valuable when there is student support and measures associated with maintaining a positive affect.