Springtime means test time. If your student follows a school calendar of classes from August to May at ICA, you know this month can be potentially stressful for your student as he faces final tests. As a parent, it's easy to forget when you were a student in school, with tests looming before you. Remember how you felt nervous, your hands got shaky, and sometimes your mind would go blank on questions you knew the answers to?
Your student is experiencing the same anxieties. It's true that some students are better test takers than others. No matter your student's test taking abilities and comfort level, there are ways you can help your student face tests with confidence and preparedness. Even if you have an A+ student, you should guide your student on how to face challenges-because long after he's graduated from ICA he's going to have to tackle larger situations in life than a test.
The Bible tells us to guide our children and give them advice, "Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths" (Proverbs 4:10-11).
Here are six ways to help reduce your student's test anxiety:
1. Schedule correctly. Anxiety often happens because of the lack of time dedicated to the task of studying. Improve your student's studying habits by scheduling consistent times for preparing for tests. Proper scheduling will prevent cramming and additional unnecessary stress.
2. Remove distractions. With online learning, it's easy for your student to be distracted by outside factors like friends, chores, media, phones, televisions, and surfing the Internet. When preparing for upcoming tests, set limits so your student focuses more easily. Also remove distractions when your student is taking the test.
3. Review lessons daily. Uncertainty occurs because your student is unsure he really knows material. Help by reviewing material in your student's lessons each day and then quizzing him before he takes the test. Daily practice makes perfect. Find additional tips from ICA teachers for improving study habits.
4. Try calming exercises. Every student approaches tests differently. Find out what's comfortable for your distance learner. Some ideas that are helpful to others are relaxing techniques such as deep breathing, picturing success, praying, listening to calm music, or exercising.
5. Encourage healthy choices. When under stress, all of us react, but it's a choice to react negatively. Maintaining healthy choices during times of anxiety helps. Encourage your student to keep healthy habits like getting enough sleep, eating correctly, facing fears, talking with others, and finding a correct outlet to release stress.
6. Keep it in perspective. It's easy to blow grades out of perspective and to think they are the only thing that matters. Remind your student it's just a test, not a measure of worth. Place emphasis on character and attitude more than the final grade. It's not the destination of the grade but the journey of learning that matters. Reassure him your love doesn't depend on performance. (At ICA, you can even do alternate tests if you choose to.)
Consistent parenting with regard to studying habits and test taking will improve your student's level of text anxiety. Get to the root of why your student feels nervous about taking tests. Then you can address how to solve his worry.
Help your student by asking the following:
1. Do you feel nervous about taking tests? How much on a scale of 1 to 10?
2. How do you feel nervous? What are you feeling physically or mentally?
3. Why do you feel nervous?
4. What do you do to calm yourself?
5. What do you think would help you worry less?
Follow up after asking questions by applying one or all of the ideas above to reduce your student's test anxiety.
What methods for reducing test anxiety have helped your student? Share with other ICA parents!