Text Anxiety Coping Skills: The 3 Rs

recognize

The first step in the process is to help students recognize the physical and emotional symptoms of test-taking anxiety. Teachers can educate their students on how to identify and write down their stress fingerprint, empowering them to take a proactice approach to managing their stress levels. 

regroup

Once students have recognized their stress fingerprint, the next step is to regroup.  Teachers can encourage their students to distance themselves from negative thoughts and worst-case scenarios by taking deep breaths, practicing relaxation techniques, and engaging in other stress reducing activities.

(Here is a breathing exercise you could do with your class- Deep Breathing for Beginners (youtube.com) 

Breathing for Stress: 4-7-8 #breathingforanxiety #breathingtechnique #relaxing #breathingexercise (youtube.com) 

ReFocus

Finally, it is essential to refocus on positive thoughts and move forward.  Students can repeat positive affirmations or visualize the score they want to acheive on the exam they are preparing for.  By channeling their nervous energy into something positive, they can turn a negative experience into a beneficial one.  

Positive affirmations for Elementary: Morning Affirmations for Kids - Get Ready with Positivity - Healthy Minds (youtube.com) 

Positive affirmations for Secondary: Positive Morning Affirmations for Teens and Young People -Confidence & Self Esteem Boost 2 min daily (youtube.com)