The article I shared with classes today was about tips for easing test anxiety. I thought the timing was appropriate, considering they with all have a few tests this week! The author recommends three methods for easing test anxiety. All of them take very little time, cost nothing and have been shown to have a direct impact on test results. Please take some time to read it, and discuss it with your student. In addition, here are some other tips I have come across in my reading on the subject:
This week:
Have a great week and a relaxing, safe holiday season! As always, please feel free to leave comments below, or contact me directly with any questions.
R. Mason
- Exercise has been shown to reduce stress levels in general, and has also been linked to academic success. It can be hard this time of year in Nebraska, but encourage your student to take time each day this week to participate in some moderate exercise if they don't already.
- Getting the appropriate amount of sleep has been shown to be vitally important to improving learning and achievement on tests! Encourage your student to stay on a schedule this week, and fight the temptation to stay up late.
- There is really no substitute for being prepared for the test in question. Successful practice leads to confidence, which leads to improved performance. This is true in sports, arts and academics. In my class, this means that students should keep working on their practice assignments and other work. The more they do this, the more automatic the knowledge becomes.
This week:
- Parents PLEASE check PowerSchool on a regular basis, preferably with your student. Push them to complete any assignments that are listed as missing (orange dot) or NHI (not handed in). In my class, completing assignments means that a student gets access to the answer key. This is a chance for them to see how they are doing on the material and ask questions about anything they are confused on.
- I will be in my classroom Mon-Thurs after school of this week. If you student needs help, has missing assignments to catch up on, etc., PLEASE have them come in. Although I am not accepting late work from previous units, some students have taken this as a free pass to not complete any of the current work. THAT IS NOT TRUE. They should be completing and turning in any and all current assignments. In AP Physics, that would be anything having to do with Ch. 4 (Forces and Dynamics). In Conceptual Physics, that includes anything from Ch. 7 (Momentum and Impulse).
- After school Guided Study is still available in the library through Thursday of this week as another option for students to get work done.
Have a great week and a relaxing, safe holiday season! As always, please feel free to leave comments below, or contact me directly with any questions.
R. Mason