(Chelsea Update would like to thank Kristin Krarup-Joyce, Ed. S. NCSP, Ellen Kent, Ed. S. NCSP and Emily Verbeke, Ed. S. NCSP for the information in this weekly column. If you have a question for one of the school psychologists, please email [email protected]. All information will be kept confidential.)
Question: This is such a hectic time of year. My daughter is stressed about final exams. My son is stressed about switching buildings next year. Do you have any tips for us?
Answer: It is a very busy time of year. First, let’s address your children’s specific concerns.
Final exams can stress out even the most confident students. Students that do well on finals come to the test prepared and well rested. They use good test-taking strategies during the test. Pointing out all the positive things your daughter’s done to prepare for her finals and suggesting some other ways to prepare may help take her stress level down a notch.
The following site has some helpful tips. You may also recommend that she talk to her individual teachers and get their input and advice.
Your son is not alone in feeling anxious about moving to a new building. The schools in the district do a great service to our students by hosting “moving up day.” Students moving to a different building next year are able to visit and gain familiarity with their new buildings.
For some students one visit is not enough. Your son might need to visit a new building a second time prior to open house in the fall. A good first step would be to contact the building principal and explain your son’s situation. She/he would be happy to suggest good times for him to visit the building during the summer and may have other helpful ideas. It may also be helpful to remind him that his friends are also moving to a new building and that there will be many familiar faces.
Even though summer vacation is synonymous with “rest and relaxation,” this time of year is hectic and can stressful for children and adults. We recently came across a great website, that is full of great resources to help children (and adults) relax. The site provides relaxation activities including, breathing techniques, visualization techniques, positive self-talk, mindfulness, one minute relaxers, and test taking relaxation. We hope you find the site useful.
