'Exam Anxiety and Ways to Cope'
While in the past years there was only one exam for those who wanted to study at university, nowadays people of all age groups unfortunately have to take many exams and take these exams. has to pass. As exams entered our lives, a situation called 'exam anxiety' started to emerge in our children.
So, what is this test anxiety?
Do you have intense fears that you will constantly fail or not be able to do a course or exam, even though you have studied for it? So, do you go through periods where you forget what you know, even if you have studied and learned before or during the exam, your mind is empty, and you show symptoms such as nausea, sweating, tremors, restlessness, you cannot focus on the exam, and you have problems focusing? If your answer to these situations is 'YES', you are probably experiencing test anxiety.
Exam Anxiety; It is defined as intense anxiety that prevents individuals from using previously learned information effectively during the exam and causes a decrease in success. Children who begin to experience Exam Anxiety may experience symptoms such as decreased academic success, procrastination in studying, disliking questions about the lesson, distraction, decreased self-confidence, and seeing themselves as worthless and inadequate. This situation causes the child not to be adequately prepared for the exams, his/her anxiety increases as the exam approaches, and naturally, he/she cannot be successful in the exam. While some children experience test anxiety, some children, on the contrary, can fully focus on their lessons and do not experience test anxiety. So why does test anxiety occur? It is known that the personality traits of individuals experiencing test anxiety are more competitive and perfectionist, and that individuals also have unrealistic negative thoughts. However, parents' attitudes and the meaning given to the exam within the family also play a big role in the development of test anxiety in children.
What Can Be Done for Parents Whose Children Experience Exam Anxiety?
First of all, as a parent, you experience exam anxiety. One of the first things to do is to talk about this situation with your child, whom you think about and receive feedback from his/her teachers in this way. Many times, children may experience test anxiety with the thought that they will disappoint their parents. To your child; Sentences stating that failing an exam is not the end of the world, but that test anxiety is a treatable condition and that you, as parents, can solve this problem together will be useful. Afterwards, it may be useful to find out what negative unreal thoughts the child has about the exam and talk about them.
For example; Your child's statements such as "I don't understand these subjects anyway" or "I know I won't be successful in this exam" are unrealistic, negative sentences and cause anxiety. In response to these sentences, make more realistic sentences that will reduce anxiety, such as "I think you can understand the subject if you study it enough, what do you think we can do for this, do you want to get help from someone?"
Other duties of parents in coping with Exam Anxiety are;
-Do not compare your child with other children. The fact that your child's friend Ali got 90 in the exam or got into a better high school in the high school entrance exam does not make your child study harder, on the contrary, it causes him to experience feelings of failure more and become withdrawn.
-You can only encourage your child to do well in the exam. Celebrate not only when he gets grades or gets into a good school, but also when he tries but fails in exam situations. Showing value and interest to the child solely based on the exam results may cause the child to become result-oriented and use wrong methods to achieve that result. However, a child whose efforts are celebrated will make more effort to be successful in the next exam, even if he fails that exam.
-As a parent, also review your expectations about the exam. Sometimes we expect our children to do things and go to schools that we could not do in our own childhood. But you Your child may not want what you want, and this may cause conflicts between you and your child.
-Do not hesitate to talk to your child. You may think that your child is not studying on purpose and is acting this way out of spite. Even so, it is best to help your child by learning the real reasons.
If there is no decrease in your child's exam anxiety despite all the suggestions, and if this situation starts to cause problems in the family, consult a psychologist with your child as soon as possible.
Stay Healthy…
'Exam Anxiety and Ways to Cope'
While in the past years there was only a single exam for those who wanted to study at university, now it is possible for all age groups to take the exam. Unfortunately, people have to take and pass many exams. As exams entered our lives, a situation called 'exam anxiety' started to emerge in our children.
So what is this test anxiety?
Do you have intense fears that you will constantly fail or not be able to do a course or exam, even though you have studied for it? So, do you go through periods where you forget what you know, even if you have studied and learned before or during the exam, your mind is empty, and you show symptoms such as nausea, sweating, tremors, restlessness, you cannot focus on the exam, and you have problems focusing? If your answer to these situations is 'YES', you are probably experiencing test anxiety.
Exam Anxiety; It is defined as intense anxiety that prevents individuals from using previously learned information effectively during the exam and causes a decrease in success. Children who begin to experience Exam Anxiety may experience symptoms such as decreased academic success, procrastination in studying, disliking questions about the lesson, distraction, decreased self-confidence, and seeing themselves as worthless and inadequate. This situation causes the child not to be adequately prepared for the exams, his/her anxiety increases as the exam approaches, and naturally, he/she cannot be successful in the exam. Some� While children experience test anxiety, some children, on the contrary, can fully focus on their lessons and do not experience test anxiety. So why does test anxiety occur? It is known that the personality traits of individuals experiencing test anxiety are more competitive and perfectionist, and that individuals also have unrealistic negative thoughts. However, parents' attitudes and the meaning given to the exam within the family also play a big role in the development of test anxiety in children.
What Can Be Done for Parents whose Children Experience Exam Anxiety?
First of all, as a parent, you think that the exam is experiencing exam anxiety. One of the first things to do is to talk about this situation with your child when you receive such feedback from his teachers. Many times, children may experience test anxiety with the thought that they will disappoint their parents. To your child; Sentences stating that failing an exam is not the end of the world, but that test anxiety is a treatable condition and that you, as parents, can solve this problem together will be useful. Afterwards, it may be useful to find out what negative unreal thoughts the child has about the exam and talk about them.
For example; Your child's statements such as "I don't understand these subjects anyway" or "I know I won't be successful in this exam" are unrealistic, negative sentences and cause anxiety. In response to these sentences, make more realistic sentences that will reduce anxiety, such as "I think you can understand the subject if you study it enough, what do you think we can do for this, do you want to get help from someone?"
Other duties of parents in coping with Exam Anxiety are;
-Do not compare your child with other children. The fact that your child's friend Ali got 90 in the exam or got into a better high school in the high school entrance exam does not make your child study harder. On the contrary, it causes him to experience feelings of failure more and become withdrawn.
-Congratulate your child not only when he gets a good grade on the exam or gets into a good school, but also when he tries hard but fails. Showing value and interest to the child solely based on the exam results may cause the child to become result-oriented and use wrong methods to achieve that result. However, a child whose efforts are celebrated will make more effort to be successful in the next exam, even if he fails that exam.
-As a parent, also review your expectations about the exam. Sometimes we expect our children to do things and go to schools that we could not do in our own childhood. However, your child may not want what you want, and this may cause conflicts between you and your child.
-Do not hesitate to talk to your child. You may think that your child is not studying on purpose and is acting this way out of spite. Even so, it is best to help your child by learning the real reasons.
If there is no decrease in your child's exam anxiety despite all the suggestions, and if this situation starts to cause problems in the family, consult a psychologist with your child as soon as possible.
Stay Healthy…
'Exam Anxiety and Ways to Cope'
While in the past years there was only a single exam for those who wanted to study at university, now it is possible for all age groups to take the exam. Unfortunately, people have to take and pass many exams. As exams entered our lives, a situation called 'exam anxiety' started to emerge in our children.
So what is this test anxiety?
Do you have intense fears that you will constantly fail or not be able to do a course or exam, even though you have studied for it? So, do you go through periods where you forget what you know, even if you have studied and learned before or during the exam, your mind is empty, and you show symptoms such as nausea, sweating, tremors, restlessness, you cannot focus on the exam, and you have problems focusing? If your answer to these situations is 'YES'
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