health
Child psychologist: This common issue can hurt kids' future success, happiness—they won't just 'grow out of it'
Test anxiety can hurt your child's academic performance and, if left unchecked, their future success and well-being, says clinical psychologist Tram Huynh.
TL;DR
- Test anxiety can negatively impact students' self-esteem, academic competence, course selection, college applications, mental health, and career trajectories.
- Up to 40% of students experience test anxiety, which can worsen with age and competition for college admissions.
- Parents should watch for signs of test anxiety, normalize mild stress, and focus energy on thoughtful preparation rather than just telling kids to 'study harder.'
- Encouraging healthy habits like sleep, exercise, and nutrition, along with teaching calming techniques, can help students manage anxiety.
- After a test, parents should praise effort and help children move past the stress, seeking professional help if anxiety significantly impacts sleep, eating, or joy in activities.