It's hard to believe it's already October. The end of last month marked the end of first quarter for most. Whether your child is starting to prepare for mid-terms, SAT, ISEE or any other type of major unit test, it can feel daunting for both of you. Testing can bring out insecurities in even the most academically gifted children.
Here are a few simple tips to ease testing fears:
Talk about it! Open communication with your child regarding major assignments and tests coming down the pipeline makes it easier to create a solid study plan well in advance of the big day. Chat about what makes them nervous when testing. Is it the pressure in a quiet room? Is it the required study time going into it? Are they unsure how or where to start when reviewing material? Also, encourage your child to talk with their teacher(s) about specific areas in a subject that are more challenging to them.
Start studying early. Adding in even just 20 minutes to study every day can make a difference! If your child is playing sports or has a lot of extracurricular activities, and finding a large window to study is hard, create smaller study sessions early on to help them comprehend material instead of cramming right before a test. On days without a tutor, add a short, focused time to review a certain section of notes or re-read a chapter that was more difficult.
Solid rest and balanced meals. I know it's like the 100th time we've said it, but sleep is critical. We all know how it feels to stay up way too late while being stressed -- the headache and groggy-feeling, makes it hard to function properly. Even if the big day is in t-minus 48-hours, set time to study and then also set time to decompress properly. Of course, there will be days followed by less-than-ideal sleep, but when this happens, encourage your child to hydrate with water and healthier snacks when possible. Various foods like fatty fish, berries, avocados when eaten in appropriate quantities, can help improve memory and brain function long term.
Try new study methods and make it fun! If you know what study methods work for your child, then by all means, stick with it. But if they are still finding their groove, don't be afraid to try new things. Let them color code the study guide with different tabs. Pull out old homework and mark it up. And if they haven't received a homework assignment back, they should ask for it to help study. Some people need complete silence, others like soft music playing. Re-type class notes, make a question/answer game, or meet with friends to review together. Find what is best for your child.
Private tutoring. At beam Tutoring we pride ourselves on being affordable and reliable. Private, 1-on-1 sessions for your child do not need to feel out of reach. A friendly consistent face outside of the classroom is a great way to let your child feel heard. Remind them to express their testing anxieties with their tutor. Our tutors are wonderful at rechanneling those fears and finding unique ways to help them prepare.
It is never too early or too late to establish strong study habits. At the end of the day, you want what is best for your child. Sometimes that means knowing they aren't strong test takers, and that is okay. There are ways to manage, and we are here to help. Give us a call today, and don't be spooked by the testing scaries!
Comments