Test Anxiety
Name one physical sign of test anxiety.
Racing heart, sweaty hands, upset stomach, tight chest, shaking, headache, trouble concentrating.
Name one reason teachers give feedback
To help you improve, explain expectations, show strengths, identify areas to work on, and support learning.
Name one feeling someone might have when a deadline is close.
Panic, pressure, overwhelm, frustration, motivation, urgency, anxiety, numbness.
Name one thing that can happen when you do not get enough sleep.
Trouble concentrating, irritability, low energy, memory problems, more stress, difficulty managing emotions.
What does burnout mean?
Ongoing physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion from prolonged stress or pressure, often making it harder to cope, concentrate, or feel motivated.
True or false: Feeling nervous before a test means you will fail.
False. Some nervousness is normal and can even help you focus; it does not determine your result.
True or false: Feedback is the same thing as criticism.
False. Feedback can include strengths, suggestions, and areas to improve; criticism is not always constructive.
True or false: Breaking a big assignment into smaller steps can make it feel more manageable.
True. Smaller steps make it easier to start and see progress.
True or false: Energy drinks and coffee can replace sleep.
False. They may temporarily increase alertness, but they do not replace the rest and recovery your body gets from sleep.
True or false: Taking breaks means you are lazy.
False. Breaks help restore focus, energy, and motivation.
Name one strategy you can use before a test.
Review notes in small chunks, make a study plan, get sleep, eat something, arrive early, practice questions, use positive self-talk.
What is one helpful first response when you receive feedback?
Take a pause before reacting, read it fully, ask questions, separate the feedback from your self-worth, make a note of what to change.
What is one thing you can do when you feel behind on an assignment?
Make a realistic plan, identify the next smallest step, ask for clarification, remove distractions, use a timer, talk to the teacher, ask for support.
Name one food or drink that can help support energy during a school day.
Water, fruit, yogurt, nuts, eggs, whole grains, a balanced meal, a snack with protein and carbohydrates.
Name one sign that you may be approaching burnout.
Constant exhaustion, losing interest in things, feeling cynical or detached, falling behind, trouble sleeping, frequent illness, irritability, difficulty concentrating.
What is one thing you can do if your mind goes blank during a test?
Pause, take a few slow breaths, skip and return later, read the question again, write down what you do know, use a grounding strategy.
Name one way to tell useful feedback from unkind criticism.
Useful feedback is specific, focused on the work, and gives a direction for improvement; unkind criticism may be vague, personal, or dismissive.
Name one way to prioritize tasks when everything feels urgent.
Use a due-date list, identify what is worth the most marks, start with the most urgent task, break tasks into steps, do one task at a time, ask what can wait.
Name one habit that can make it harder to fall asleep.
Using screens right before bed, caffeine late in the day, irregular sleep times, stressful scrolling, napping too late, working in bed.
Name one boundary you could set during a busy school week.
Set a stop time for schoolwork, turn off notifications during study time, say no to an extra commitment, protect one break or meal, ask for help before taking on too much.
Name one way to prepare for a test without cramming all night.
Review a little each day, make flashcards, teach the material to someone else, do practice questions, create a summary sheet, start early.
What is one way to use feedback to improve an assignment?
Make a revision list, ask the teacher for clarification, fix one issue at a time, compare the feedback with the assignment instructions, apply it to the next assignment.
What is one realistic way to ask for an extension or support?
Email or speak to the teacher early, explain the situation briefly and honestly, ask what options are available, propose a realistic new plan, and follow through.
Name one realistic way to improve your sleep routine.
Keep a consistent wake-up time, put the phone away before bed, do a 10-minute wind-down routine, write tomorrow’s tasks down, keep the room cool and dark, avoid caffeine later in the day.
Name one support you could reach out to if school feels overwhelming.
A teacher, academic advisor, school counsellor, friend, family member, peer-support service, doctor, or mental-health resource.