Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. Perfectionism is a trait, whereby a person refuses to accept any standard short of perfection. Click here for a fact sheet on anxiety.
Either can become problematic when the behaviors associated with this begin to negatively affect an individual to a marked degree, which interferes with someone’s ability to fully enjoy their teenage life. Most people consider either to be a problem when it causes significant distress or interference for the teen or the family.
Distress versus Interference - Anxiety:
Examples of distress:
Strategies to help students with Test Anxiety:
Students who are Perfectionists:
Strategies to help students who are Perfectionists:
Either can become problematic when the behaviors associated with this begin to negatively affect an individual to a marked degree, which interferes with someone’s ability to fully enjoy their teenage life. Most people consider either to be a problem when it causes significant distress or interference for the teen or the family.
Distress versus Interference - Anxiety:
Examples of distress:
- crying every day before going to school, because a parent does not stay
- having an upset stomach every time there is an important test at school
- refusal to go on school field trips because of anxiety
- being very slow in play or failure to join in with other children
- wanting to stay home sick on the day of a school presentation
- not wanting to participate in unfamiliar activities
Strategies to help students with Test Anxiety:
- Stay relaxed, if you begin to get nervous, take a few deep breaths slowly to relax yourself & then get back to work.
- Read the directions slowly & carefully.
- If you don’t understand the directions on the test, ask the teacher to explain them to you.
- Skim through the test so that you have a good idea about how to pace yourself.
- Write down important formulas, facts, definitions/key words in the margins first so you won’t worry about forgetting them.
- Do the simple questions first to help build up your confidence for the harder questions.
- Focus on the question at hand. Don’t let your mind wander.
Students who are Perfectionists:
- Have exceptionally high expectations for themselves;
- Are self-critical, self-conscious and easily embarrassed
- Have strong feelings of inadequacy and low self-confidence
- Exhibit persistent anxiety about making mistakes
- Are highly sensitive to criticism
- Procrastinate and avoid stressful situations or difficult tasks
- Are emotionally guarded and socially inhibited
- Have a tendency to be critical of others
- Exhibit difficulty making decisions and prioritizing tasks
- Experience headaches or other physical ailments when they perform below the expectations of themselves or others.
Strategies to help students who are Perfectionists:
- Admit to making mistakes and model constructive coping skills.
- Provide a calm, uncluttered, and structured environment.
- Create opportunities for success that will enhance the student`s self-confidence.
- Comment on the child`s strengths and accomplishments. Do this privately when deemed appropriate or write down constructive observations.
- Avoid comparing students.
- If possible, reduce the academic pressure on these children by altering the grading system.
- Involve them in setting realistic standards for themselves.