As your teen advances academically and takes on more challenging studies, you may notice them developing test anxiety. Fortunately, as a parent, there are several ways you can reduce this anxiety, from eliminating distractions to providing access to a tutor. Below are three helpful ways to support your teen during a difficult academic year.

3 Ways to Help Your Teen Beat Test Anxiety

1. Schedule Study Time

If your teen is frequently cramming right before an exam, they're like going to be anxious and stressed. Avoid this habit by helping your teen establish a study schedule. Use a calendar to map out upcoming tests so that they can prepare for them. You may also need to look at extracurricular activities or weekend events that cut into study time. See which activities are necessary and which you can eliminate to allow more time for school work and test preparation.

2. Support Them

Test anxiety is often because of previous failures, feelings of inadequacy in a particular subject, or a fear of failure. To calm this anxiety, recognize your teen’s efforts and be supportive in whatever way is needed. Whether you’re providing emotional support by allowing them to vent frustrations or educational support by hiring a private tutor, let your teen know they’re not alone.

3. Eliminate Distractions

Your teen may feel overwhelmed by distractions in their personal life as well as the study space. Eliminating these distractions allows for more focused study time and less anxiety. Cell phones are often a significant distraction, so you may need to enforce a no-phone policy during study time. Also, turn off other distractions around the home that may be making it more difficult for your teen to focus, such as music or the television.

If you need an academic tutor for your teen, trust EYC Academy in Chesterfield, MO. Since 2014, this tutoring academy has helped students meet their educational goals in a nurturing, stress-free environment. Their Love and Logic® philosophy prioritizes independent decision making, enabling your child to learn at their own pace while understanding the consequences of actions. To learn more about their full- and half-day educational programs, call (636) 220-3344. Visit them online to learn more about their approach.