by YouTime Coaching | Feb 8, 2017 | Academics, Anxiety, Change, Confidence, Fear, Focus, Life Coaching, Mental Health, Outcomes, Positive Psychology, Results, Stress
It’s natural for students to feel nervous as standardized tests approach.
But it’s also very easy for this anxiety to spiral out of control and affect their overall well-being. No test is worth that! (Not to mention that being paralyzed by fear is not the ideal condition for a test-taking brain.) Test anxiety can be rooted in a lack of mastery of the material, uncertainty about test-taking conditions, and/or dread of the long-term consequences of falling short—and often, some combination of the three.
If your student is suffering, take heart: test stress is not inevitable!
Each of these anxieties can be dealt with and you can minimizing test stress. Here are some strategies that can apply to almost any student preparing for almost any test.
- Own the fear. Telling a student their fear is “all in their head” is counterproductive. Of course it is—all emotions are in our heads! Instead, help your student determine what they should and should not worry about. If your student lacks mastery in a subject, their test anxiety may be very real. If they worry over material they’ve already mastered, then you’re dealing with a different type of anxiety entirely.
- One step at a time. Gradually acclimating your student to test pressures can help normalize the test-taking process for them. Completing practice tests, working under timed conditions, and learning to work in noisy environments can all help your student prepare for their experience in the testing center. A coffee shop or library—where they will have to work through sniffling, conversations, street noise, and other things that fray nerves—is a great place to prepare.
- Think outside the test. Sometimes the very format of the standardized test causes panic. In this case, help your student develop skills with something other than the test. Developing reading comprehension questions using a novel or newspaper article, or applying geometry skills by designing a bookcase or coffee table, may help your student master skills in a fun, non-threatening way.
- Practice good test hygiene. Habits can make or break a test-taker. Set routines for your student. For example, if the test will happen on a Saturday morning, set aside every Saturday morning for test prep. Work on maintaining good posture and a positive but aggressive attitude toward the test. Finally, consider mindfulness exercises that will help your student quiet their inner critic.
More than anything, emphasize keeping things in perspective. Though the SAT or ACT may seem all-important, remember that most students take the test two or three times, and there’s much more to a college application than just test scores!
This blog was written by Signet Education’s Director of Education, Sheila Akbar. Sheila is also Signet’s resident admissions and test prep expert. She has been preparing students for the SAT, ACT, and GRE for over ten years in both one-on-one and in classroom settings. Sheila holds both a BA and an MA in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from Harvard University and holds two PhDs from Indiana University in Comparative Literature and Near Eastern Languages and Cultures.
Signet Education provides individualized tutoring, test prep, admissions consulting, and organizational coaching for students.
by YouTime Coaching | Dec 7, 2016 | Academics, Attitudes, Behavioral Change, Change, Children, Communication, Direction, Life Coaching, Mental Health, parenting, parents, Problems, Self-Change, Self-Esteem, social problems, Stigma, Teenagers, Therapy, Trust |
Even a healthy and well-adjusted young person will have their fair share mood swings, moments of pushing back, impulsive decisions, and overall lapses in judgement. This is why parenting a young person consistently takes the top spot in The New York Times’ list of “Top 10 Easiest Professions”… yeaaaa right.
Whether the young person is in high-school or college it can sometimes be quite challenging to distinguish between “normal” and “could use some help”. So let’s clear a couple things up first regarding “help”.
Stigma.
Yes, unfortunately “getting help” still carries a substantially heavy stigma with it. For instance, it is very easy to assume that when you seek out professional help that something is broken and needs to be fixed. The young person is not broken, and neither are you. Here are a few other stigmas that may keep you and the young person from benefiting from additional support.
Misconceptions about getting help for a high-school/college age young person:
- If I get help, I am weak.
- This means I am crazy.
- (Typically parents) This is a waste of money.
- All you do is talk about my feelings.
- I will get medicated.
- Other people will think it’s (I’m) weird.
Stigmas have the power to not only prevent a young person from getting more specialized support but in many cases can create pretty harmful negative beliefs about who they are, how they are doing, and what their options are to start feeling better.
From the very beginning of the process, YouTime Coaching implements many strategies to combat some of these misconceptions. Here are a couple:
Trust Trust Trust:
With young people, trust is huge. That is why YouTime Coaching focuses right away on building a safe, secure, and trusting relationship between the young person and their coach. We believe that the young person’s relationship with their coach within the first month will determine much of their success in their work together. The coaches use strategic communication styles, in-between session check-ins, and work hard to create an relaxed judgment free zone.
Breaking the “Parent-Young person” Dynamic:
Sometimes simply being a parent makes it challenging to talk about the “tough things” with your young person. They see you through the “parent filter”, while you see them through the “young person filter”. YouTime’s Coaches are young, genuinely compassionate, and have the natural ability to connect with young people where it may otherwise be challenging for a parent to break through.
Take a look at www.YouTimeCoach.com to learn more about the process of coaching with young person, parents, and families.
When to get specialized help for your young person?
With the exception of when the young person asks for it, knowing when to seek out help can be challenging. Having some insight to what your young person’s baseline behaviors are can be helpful in assessing their/your need for some extra support. Here are a few things to keep on your radar but keep in mind that simply because you may see a change in these areas does not not necessarily mean your young person is struggling. It just means, keep communicating with them and finding ways to meaningfully connect, all while keeping your finger on the pulse to see if more evidence points to a “would it help it get some support?” talk.
- Their social life.
Questions to think about:
Has their friend group noticeably changed?
Are they spending a lot more time on their own?
Are they now jumping pretty hard into the party scene?
Is the young person having noticeable challenges in balancing their social life with other areas?
- Communication.
Questions to think about:
Has the young person’s communication patterns (language used, frequency, depth) drastically changed?
Is the young person “asking for help” but not necessarily coming right out and saying it?
Do you notice a rapid shift in mood when communicating with the young person?
Are you lost on how to communicate with the young person?
Have others communicated their concerns with you? (friends, teachers, bosses, siblings..etc)
- Academics.
Questions to think about:
Is there a noticeable drop in grade?
Are you seeing frequent absences or tardiness at school/work?
Have you received concerned communication from teachers?
Is your young person having trouble concentrating/focusing?
*if any young person you’re with has shown open, serious, and/or committed signs of harming themselves or others, please do not hesitate, call 911 and get professional help right away.
Remember, these questions are good starting points to give you a better understanding of what conversations to have with the young person, a professional, or somebody already in their support circle.
At the end of the day, if you still feel like something may be “off” with your kid and need to further figure out a plan of action, reach out to YouTime Coaching at [email protected].
by YouTime Coaching | Nov 4, 2014 | Health, Men's Health, Mental Health, Movember, Physical Health
The Movember Foundation is the leading global organization committed to changing the face of men’s health.
The Movember community has raised $559 million to date and funded over 800 programs in 21 countries. This work is saving and improving the lives of men affected by prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health problems.
The Movember Foundation challenges men to grow moustaches during Movember (formerly known as November), to spark conversation and raise vital funds for its men’s health programs. To date, 4 million moustaches have been grown worldwide, but we won’t stop growing as long as serious men’s health issues exist.
Take a look at the Movember Men’s Health Checklist
to See What You Need to Be On Top Of:
BLOOD PRESSURE Every 2 years or annually if high/low
FASTING CHOLESTEROL Every 5 years or more frequently
with an abnormal test result
DENTAL HEALTH Annual check up
EYE HEALTH Every 2 years or as doctor recommends
IMMUNIZATIONS Tetanus-diphtheria at age 19 and annual
flu vaccine
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES Regular Checks and HPV vaccine if appropriate
SKIN CANCER Look for marks or changes on your skin and have a doctor do an annual skin check
TESTICULAR CANCER Monthly self-exam, especially
if there is a family history |
BLOOD PRESSURE Every 2 years or annually if high/low
FASTING CHOLESTEROL Every 5 years or more frequently with an abnormal test result
DENTAL HEALTH Annual check up
EYE HEALTH Every 2 years or as doctor recommends
IMMUNIZATIONS Tetanus-diphtheria booster every 10 years and annual flu vaccine
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES Regular checks, if appropriate
SKIN CANCER Look for marks or changes on your skin and have a doctor do an annual skin check
TESTICULAR CANCER Monthly self-exam, especially if there is a family history |
BLOOD PRESSURE Every 2 years or annually if high/low
FASTING CHOLESTEROL & INFLAMMATION MARKERS
Every 3-5 years or more frequently with an abnormal test result
DENTAL HEALTH Annual check up
DIABETES Blood sugar test –hemoglobin A1c– at age 45,
or earlier if overweight or other risk factors are present
EYE HEALTH Every 2 years or as doctor recommends
IMMUNIZATIONS Tetanus-diphtheria booster every 10 years and annual flu vaccine
PROSTATE CANCER Baseline PSA test if African-American
or there is a family history; age 50 otherwise
SKIN CANCER Look for marks or changes on your skin
and have a doctor do an annual skin check
DISCUSS WITH YOUR DOCTOR The role of aspirin to lower risks for certain cancers and heart disease. The role of statins (cholesterol lowering drugs) for prevention of heart disease |
BLOOD PRESSURE Every 2 years or annually if high/low
FASTING CHOLESTEROL & INFLAMMATION MARKERS Every 3-5 years or more frequently with an abnormal test result
COLORECTAL CANCER Annual check up
DENTAL HEALTH Annual check up
DIABETES Annual check up
EYE HEALTH Every 2 years or as doctor recommends
IMMUNIZATIONS Tetanus-diphtheria booster every 10 years and annual flu vaccine
OSTEOPOROSIS If risk factors are present
PROSTATE CANCER Annual check up
SKIN CANCER Look for marks or changes on your skin and have a doctor do an annual skin check
DISCUSS WITH YOUR DOCTOR The role of aspirin to lower risks for certain cancers and heart disease. The role of statins (cholesterol lowering drugs) for prevention of heart disease |
ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND Men between ages 65–75 who have smoked
BLOOD PRESSURE Every 2 years or annually if high/low
FASTING CHOLESTEROL & INFLAMMATION MARKERS
Every 5 years or more frequently with an abnormal test result
COLORECTAL CANCER Annual check up
DENTAL HEALTH Annual check up
DIABETES Every 3 years or as doctor recommends
EYE HEALTH Every 2 years or as doctor recommends
IMMUNIZATIONS Tetanus-diphtheria booster every 10 years, annual flu vaccine, and shingles/herpes zoster vaccine once after age 60
HEARING If you are over age 65, have your hearing checked
OSTEOPOROSIS If risk factors are present
PROSTATE CANCER Annual check up
SKIN CANCER Look for marks or changes on your skin
and have a doctor do an annual skin check
DISCUSS WITH YOUR DOCTOR The role of aspirin to lower risks for certain cancers and heart disease. The role of statins (cholesterol lowering drugs) for prevention of heart disease |
ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND Men between ages 65–75 who have smoked
BLOOD PRESSURE Every 2 years or annually if high/low
FASTING CHOLESTEROL & INFLAMMATION MARKERS Every 5 years or more frequently with an abnormal test result
COLORECTAL CANCER Annual check up
DENTAL HEALTH Annual check up
DIABETES Every 3 years or as doctor recommends.
EYE HEALTH Every 2 years or as doctor recommends
IMMUNIZATIONS Tetanus-diphtheria booster every 10 years, annual flu vaccine, and pneumococcal vaccine after age 65
HEARING Annual check up
PROSTATE CANCER Annual check up
SKIN CANCER Look for marks or changes on your skin and have a doctor do an annual skin check
DISCUSS WITH YOUR DOCTOR The role of aspirin to lower risks for certain cancers and heart disease. The role of statins (cholesterol lowering drugs) for prevention of heart disease |
by YouTime Coaching | Feb 25, 2014 | Brain, Certainty, Control, Decisions, happiness, Harvard, Mental Effort, Mental Health, Positive Psychology, Relationships, Shawn Achor, Stress, Uncertainty
Let’s talk happiness for a second.
Imagine that the amazing Professor Ben-Shahar or Shawn Achor, both of Harvard University’s Positive Psychology program asked
 |
| Tal Ben-Shahar |
YOU to give a lecture to a group of students on how to create happiness, make decisions that will increase your happiness levels, and ways to predict how happy you will be in any given circumstance.
 |
| Shawn Achor |
Maybe right now you have already formulated a speech in your mind that will be flawlessly delivered to the eager crowd of young students. They will hear your words of wisdom and leave the lecture hall feeling confident, optimistic and ridiculously more happy!
Or maybe not…
Recent major personal life changes, decisions, and transitions have motived me to write this piece on happiness. I will be sure to update everybody on these big life changes in a blog very soon.
Answer this quick question:
What do you have in your life right now that creates happiness for you?
My answer to this question contained items such as:
- Good relationships
- An amazing fiancé
- A great apartment
- A wonderful doggie (love you Bipsy!)
- A great job
- Financial security
- A nice car
- Health insurance
And a few other things that came quickly to mind.
Research shows that ONLY 10% of your long-term happiness is derived from these external factors.
There secret to 90% of your long-term happiness?
Answer: How your brain reacts to these external factors.
One of the biggest challenges with individuals and happiness today is that they believe they have absolutely no control over it.
When people lack certainty in their life and have an abundance of uncertainty, they are at a high risk of experiencing unhealthy amounts of anxiety.
Unfortunately debilitating levels of anxiety and happiness can not exist at the same time. This is why many therapists have clients create a “positive thought jar”. Individuals can not maintain a negative and positive thought in their minds at the same time. When you experience yourself focusing on a negative thought, go to your positive thought jar, and pull out a positive affirmation to combat the negative thinking.
It is funny and maybe you know this, most individuals feel they have little control over their own happiness yet 90% is derived through a process that happens within you!
Stop predicting and start looking at the hard facts.
Become a detective by taking some of your biggest stressors, successes, decisions, and relationships and begin dissecting what makes them stressful, exciting, negative, successful and/or challenging for you.
This is worth the mental effort!
Take 10 minutes now to play detective and figure out how your brain reacts to the list you created above.
YouTime’s Summary:
It is important understand that happiness does not come from the external factors around you, it is created within you by the way your brain reacts to those external factors.
The amount of expensive, lavish, and desirable possessions you have in your life is meaningless UNTIL your brain creates meaning for these things. The way your brain creates meaning to those possessions and relationships is unique to you. Take the time to understand yourself, your inner drives, and how you choose to react to your environment.
It is your brain.
It is your happiness.
Take control.
For more information regarding research on happiness, please visit:
Http://goodthinkinc.com/research/
