Episode 21
Testing Season Strategies
This episode centers on strategies to foster a successful and less daunting testing season for students. We explain the different approaches that parents can employ to alleviate anxiety and enhance their children's confidence during this critical period. By advocating for early preparation, the use of practice tests, and the cultivation of a supportive home environment, we aim to transform the perception of testing from one of anxiety to one of opportunity for growth. Our esteemed guest, Barbara Truluck, offers invaluable insights into fostering resilience and effective study habits. Ultimately, the episode serves as a call for parents to engage actively in their children's educational journeys, thereby ensuring a positive testing experience and celebrating academic progress.
Guest: Barbara Truluck, Middle School Counseling Consultant
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Takeaways:
- The testing season can be transformed into a confidence-building experience for students when approached with the right strategies and mindset.
- Parents can significantly alleviate their child's test anxiety by modeling calmness and encouraging positive self-talk throughout the preparation process.
- Effective test preparation involves early study habits, the use of practice tests, and the development of time management skills during the actual test.
- Students should be encouraged to focus on their personal growth and improvement rather than comparing themselves to their peers during the testing period.
Transcript
Ways to make testing season successful for your student is our topic in this episode of the Inside Scoop.
Speaker A:Hello and welcome back to the Inside Scoop.
Speaker A:I'm David Owen.
Speaker A:Today we're going to learn a little bit about how you can make testing season more tolerable and successful for your student.
Speaker A:If you catch a tip or two that helps your family, please give us that cherished like and make sure you are subscribed.
Speaker A:Testing can be an intimidating word, but with a few insights, you may be able to actually turn it into a confidence building experience for your student.
Speaker A:I'm joined by one of the experts in shaping those coping skills, middle school counseling consultant, Barbara Trulink.
Speaker A:How are you, Barbara?
Speaker B:Hi.
Speaker A:Good.
Speaker A:Welcome back to the podcast.
Speaker A:She has been here as a guest several times and always enjoy having you because you've got a lot of good insights.
Speaker B:Well, thank you.
Speaker B:Glad to be back.
Speaker A:So many parents as well as the students feel very anxious about even just hearing the word testing gives us spinal shivers.
Speaker A:What are some of the most effective ways that parents can help their child shift from feeling intimidated about tests to actually maybe feeling confident and prepared?
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Well, we're definitely entering the testing season, April and May, and education is the testing season.
Speaker B:But definitely to help your child feel more confident prepared is to start early, avoid that last minute cramming of study questions, start early and use practice tests.
Speaker B:That's a very effective method.
Speaker B:So the students are familiar with the format of the test and they become more comfortable, they become more confident.
Speaker B:Also praise their effort.
Speaker B:It's not just about the outcomes, it's about their effort.
Speaker B:And we always encourage students to, to do their very best and to model that calm and confident attitude.
Speaker B:When parents are stressed, their kids can feel that stress.
Speaker A:That is hard to do.
Speaker B:It is.
Speaker A:You got that kind of tight smile on your face, honey.
Speaker A:Have you studied for your test?
Speaker B:That's right.
Speaker B:Your child can feel that stress and that tension.
Speaker B:So we want to stay calm and just help build their confidence as we go into testing season and encourage that positive self talk.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:Not.
Speaker B:And that's hard to do too.
Speaker A:It is as an adult.
Speaker A:It's hard because we often see the things that we miss or mess up and just kind of dwell on that.
Speaker A:And that just takes us further down, right?
Speaker B:Absolutely.
Speaker B:You can beat yourself up over one failed test or not understanding the content, but just that positive self talk.
Speaker B:And really the best way to feel confident going into testing is to be prepared.
Speaker B:When you feel prepared, you feel more confident.
Speaker B:So that positive self talk talk I've practiced, I've studied, I've got this, I'm ready.
Speaker B:Those type of positive affirmations really, really help.
Speaker B:And focusing on the growth.
Speaker B:You know, students have worked hard this year, so they've had a lot of academic growth.
Speaker B:It's not about the perfection, it's about their growth this year.
Speaker A:Yeah, it's kind of like competing with yourself as opposed to the other students or the other kids taking the test.
Speaker B:Right, that's exactly right.
Speaker B:It's tell your child not to compare themselves to their peers, but look at your personal best, what you've done this year and how you've grown and all that they've learned.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:Come to think of it, that's exactly what they do in track.
Speaker A:One of my daughters ran track and there were these kids that would do a four minute mile and when she looked at them, it was always a doubter.
Speaker A:But when she looked at, oh, I, I shaved two seconds off my 400 meter.
Speaker A:Okay, I've turned a little geeky in my conversation.
Speaker A:Sorry about that.
Speaker A:But it was always encouraging her to see how she had improved.
Speaker A:So getting down to kind of brass tacks, what are some of the best strategies to prepare and you've kind of already touched on this that you would recommend for students leading up to the testing season in general, things that actually move the needle on both how well they do and their level of anxiety.
Speaker B:Yeah, well, test anxiety is a real thing.
Speaker B:Looking at all of the material sometimes can be very overwhelming.
Speaker A:Oh, yeah.
Speaker B:So breaking it down into smaller chunks as you study and prepare is very helpful.
Speaker B:Also, using active studying techniques like practice problems is really helpful.
Speaker B:Getting familiar with what the test is going to look like.
Speaker B:Flashcards, that's one of my favorites, is studying with flashcards.
Speaker A:Have a little PTSD here actually, but.
Speaker B:Those are just good study skills.
Speaker B:Practicing with the timing of a test is also important.
Speaker A:What do you mean by that?
Speaker B:Well, these tests are timed, so learning how to pace yourself throughout the test is very important.
Speaker B:And not spending too much time on one question and really struggling with it.
Speaker B:Because what happens is then you run out of time for other questions further in the test that you might get right.
Speaker A:That makes great sense because you get to the point like you encounter that really tough question, the train's coming, you know, whatever it is.
Speaker A:And maybe there are questions below that that you could just slam dunk, easy do, but you've missed the opportunity because you've spent all this time.
Speaker A:That's brilliant.
Speaker B:That's a skill that I had to learn in my academic career because I'm such A perfectionist, I was going to say.
Speaker B:And I wanted to get that question right and I would spend way too much time on that one question when I could have gotten all the other one done in time and correctly.
Speaker B:So again, it's the test taking skill.
Speaker B:But when you're studying too, another important thing is to take breaks, right?
Speaker B:Just that five minute refresher, get up, walk around, get some water.
Speaker B:But taking those breaks during a study session is also very important.
Speaker B:And then that work, life, balance, right, is balance, study with fun activities.
Speaker B:So after your child is done studying, take them outside, spend some family time, play some games, do something to kind of get their mind off of it and reset for the next day.
Speaker A:And we just got back from spring break as we were recording this and I can just tell you that having a good break is incredibly valuable for not just student life, but work routine, right?
Speaker A:Being able to take a refresher, a new perspective, that's good.
Speaker A:So now we're going to touch on something that I think is maybe, I think tough in the teen years especially to address.
Speaker A:But that's sleep, nutrition, general routine.
Speaker A:Now if you've got an elementary school student, that's okay, it's time to brush your teeth, go to bed, that's a different story.
Speaker A:But when you've got older students, older kids, middle school and high school, these are frequently overlooked, I would guess.
Speaker A:And that doesn't help with the stress angle, right?
Speaker B:Well, again, it's about practicing how to do tests, how to take tests, and learning those important healthy skills.
Speaker B:You know, getting eight to ten hours of sleep at night, especially the night before a test, that's a skill that our kids, our teens need to learn.
Speaker B:We can monitor it a little bit better with our elementary and middle school kids.
Speaker B:But again, just teaching them, teaching your child that in order to do your best, you need to be well rested.
Speaker B:That means get the technology out of the bedroom.
Speaker A:That's the hard part.
Speaker B:It is, it is.
Speaker B:But we need that wind down time.
Speaker B:So 60 minutes is what is suggested before it's time to go to bed, time to go to sleep.
Speaker B:Just to set the brain so the brain knows, okay, it's time to rest, it's time to shut down.
Speaker B:Eating well balanced meals and especially breakfast in the morning, most of the testing takes place in the morning.
Speaker B:So sending our kids off to school with protein breakfast so they don't get that sugar crash during testing mid morning, you know, also encouraging that daily physical exercise, right?
Speaker B:Especially after a long day of school, getting out, getting some fresh air, going for A walk, playing sports.
Speaker B:All important for that overall, well being another important thing during those testing days, keep the mornings calm.
Speaker B:We want to get to school on time.
Speaker B:We want to make sure that our backpack is packed the night before, our clothes are set out so the morning isn't so rushed and we're not going into a testing session already geared up.
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker A:So I'm sorry to laugh.
Speaker A:I chuckle a little bit because it's a great plan, but sometimes it's harder to actually pull off.
Speaker A:But it's a laudable goal to make it a peaceful.
Speaker A:And that all comes with planning ahead a little bit.
Speaker B:Absolutely.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:And knowing when your child's testing days are, is.
Speaker B:Is important too.
Speaker A:Even the dads.
Speaker A:Even the dads are supposed to know.
Speaker B:That the whole family.
Speaker B:The whole family, we're in this together.
Speaker A:If you're a fan of Nate Vargazzi, comedian, you know what I'm talking about.
Speaker A:A little rabbit trail.
Speaker A:Sorry.
Speaker A:So what else can play into that?
Speaker A:Into preparing for the testing day?
Speaker B:Just sending your child off to school with those positive words of encouragement.
Speaker B:Just making sure they're well rested, that, like we said, have that good breakfast.
Speaker B:Bring a water bott bottle.
Speaker B:Staying hydrated is also important during testing.
Speaker A:Absolutely.
Speaker B:And just sending them off with that.
Speaker B:Here I go, ready to go, Ready to do my best in the morning.
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker A:So those are some great pointers for the morning of.
Speaker A:It's almost like the first day of testing, I'm guessing, is the worst because it's the anticipation of something that students generally don't want to have to do.
Speaker A:Right.
Speaker A:None of us likes to be tested, but it's a necessary thing for us to know how much we've learned and how to continue.
Speaker B:We have to test to measure growth.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:Their academic growth over the year.
Speaker B:And we can see those benchmarks.
Speaker B:So it is.
Speaker B:It's necessary.
Speaker A:Yeah, I think you said it earlier, but I'll reiterate.
Speaker A:I think the.
Speaker A:The superintendent has also said, correct me if I'm wrong, that a student's success shouldn't be the result of one test score.
Speaker A:It shouldn't be measured by that Students are more than just a test score.
Speaker A:So for what it's worth, this is a school district that, yeah, we want to do well on testing for our students sake, but that's not all that life is about.
Speaker A:Right.
Speaker B:Well, yes, we want to look at the whole child.
Speaker B:We want to look at perspective.
Speaker B:We want to look at their growth over the year, celebrate their growth instead of just the final test score.
Speaker B:That's really important to Build their confidence through the years, especially as our high school students are going off to college and they're going to be testing all of the time, just learning how to encourage them and build their confidence.
Speaker B:It's a lifelong skill.
Speaker A:So let's say that a student goes into the big testing season, big test starts and it's a multi days kind of thing and they don't feel great about their first day of testing.
Speaker A:How can a parent reorient the student to once again try anew and not be feel defeated walking into that room?
Speaker B:Well, we talk about growth mindset and having a growth mindset is really teaching our children that they might not know it yet.
Speaker B:It's the power of yet that we call it.
Speaker B:They might say, well, I didn't know anything on the test.
Speaker B:Well, you might not know it right now, but you will because education is a journey through the years and we keep building upon our knowledge.
Speaker B:So reframing that into okay, well you might not have done well on this one test, but you'll do better on subsequent tests and really learning those test skills.
Speaker B:The thing about testing is the more you practice it, the better you get at it.
Speaker B:It's just like sports, it's like music.
Speaker B:The more you practice those skills, the better you get celebrating their effort, right?
Speaker B:Not just the score.
Speaker B:We've said that several times.
Speaker B:If they tried their best, then we're going to celebrate that and then reflect on the learning after the test.
Speaker B:How did you do?
Speaker B:What do you think you could do better?
Speaker B:Do we need to study a little bit more in certain areas?
Speaker B:But reflection is also, is also important.
Speaker B:And like we said, you know, throughout the whole thing is learning the skills of taking tests.
Speaker A:So I view, and maybe this is a flaw as a student, but I've always, I viewed tests as like riddles to solve.
Speaker A:So if I didn't know the answer in a test that I took, I'd go home and say, well, what is it?
Speaker A:What is it?
Speaker A:Right.
Speaker A:Usually they don't tell you the answer right away when you miss it or so to me it was a curiosity point.
Speaker A:So as we wrap up and you've had some great insights on this, I hope you feel likewise.
Speaker A:What's one key piece of advice that you would give every parent that's listening today?
Speaker A:To make testing season not as stressful and not just bearable, but actually a positive confidence building thing.
Speaker A:You've kind of touched on some of these elements I would suspect.
Speaker A:But is there any one key thing that if there's nothing else they get from this that's the one thing you want them to remember.
Speaker B:Oh, only one?
Speaker B:Oh, I probably have a couple.
Speaker A:Gotta whittle it down.
Speaker B:So to support your child calmly.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:Don't add testing pressure onto them.
Speaker B:The calmer you stay, the calmer that they will stay.
Speaker B:Communicate with school.
Speaker B:If your child is really struggling with test anxiety, communicate with your child's teachers, your school counselors, and let them know because they can help support as well.
Speaker A:And the level of anxiety is also important.
Speaker A:Right.
Speaker A:I mean, if it's to the point of like not being able to sleep at night, that would be a time to maybe reach out to the school counselor.
Speaker B:I would definitely encourage the parent to reach out to the school because there is help and support there.
Speaker B:And sometimes the teachers and school counselors, just knowing that your child is really struggling, they can help ease that tension or stress in the morning before testing.
Speaker B:Also listening to your student.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:And just having those open line of conversation, sometimes they just need to come home and just dump it all out and tell you how the day went and tell you how the test went.
Speaker B:So just listening and communicating with your child is important.
Speaker B:But I think the biggest thing that I would say in all of this is, is modeling resilience and teaching our kids those healthy coping skills for stress.
Speaker B:And as the adults and parents modeling resilience, if you've ever struggled with, you know, test anxiety or anything, share those stories with your child and how you persevered through that and setting that example.
Speaker B:But that's a lifelong skill and that's a lifelong gift that we can give our kids.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:And if you can get a kid to talk to you and tell you, how did that test go?
Speaker A:Good.
Speaker A:Okay, son, that's not even the right grammar, but okay, keep asking those questions.
Speaker A:Open ended questions.
Speaker A:Right?
Speaker B:Open ended questions.
Speaker A:So what was the test like?
Speaker B:Yeah, exactly.
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker A:That's a little harder to wiggle out of.
Speaker A:Right.
Speaker A:So, Barbara, thank you so much.
Speaker A:Is there anything you want to add?
Speaker A:Any.
Speaker A:I don't know, maybe some online resources or.
Speaker A:I'll just leave that open ended, as it were.
Speaker B:Yeah, definitely.
Speaker B:Check ctls, parent.
Speaker B:Make sure you're checking those emails because the schools have sent out links for practice tests for the Georgia Milestones.
Speaker B:They've also sent out and will post the testing schedules.
Speaker B:So this way you can print it out, put it on the refrigerator, your.
Speaker A:Dads can know what's going on.
Speaker B:Everybody, the whole family.
Speaker B:Like I said, this is a family affair.
Speaker A:Right.
Speaker B:To just support your child through this.
Speaker B:But yes, put that testing schedule up so you know exactly what days your child's going to be testing.
Speaker B:So they're at school and they're ready to go.
Speaker A:And you can plan ahead.
Speaker B:You can plan ahead.
Speaker A:Oh, I've got a big test today.
Speaker A:What?
Speaker B:That's right.
Speaker B:Check those emails.
Speaker B:That information is being sent out through the schools.
Speaker A:So, Barbara, this is some incredibly insightful stuff.
Speaker A:And if any of this info sounds helpful to you, let a friend know.
Speaker A:People generally don't talk about the struggles their child is having or the anxiety associated with testing.
Speaker A:Your sharing.
Speaker A:This might be just what their student needs to hear to be able to achieve their greatest success.
Speaker A:And, of course, remember to give us a like and subscribe.
Speaker A:Thank you for joining us on this edition of the Inside Scoop, a podcast produced by the Cobb County School.
