July HSET Info: Managing Anxiety

High school admissions get more competitive every year, and we see that take a toll on both parents and children. It’s important to recognize and validate anxiety before taking steps to reduce it. Tune in to what your child might be hearing from friends and even other parents. You’ll be surprised at some of the rumors and assumptions surrounding testing and admissions requirements!

Here are a few ways you can help your child manage their anxiety:

Ownership

Talk with them about what they can and cannot control. For the aspects they can control, practice strategies that give them ownership.

Mindset

Encourage a growth mindset. One simple way to do this: add the word “yet” to the end of an “I can’t…” statement. “I can’t do this math. It’s too hard!” becomes, “I can’t do this math yet, but I’m going to keep practicing until I get it!”

Time

Give your child plenty of time to prepare for the test. This very short video, and this one, explain why our brains require time off to process & integrate information. Understanding this approach to learning will serve your child well into the future!