Why would anyone walk out of a room excited, after getting a D grade on a response they worked hard on?
Here’s what happened to turn a not-so-great result into an oh-so-good learning experience….
Excited after getting a D grade? Really?!?
Posts filed under Exams
The Test Prep WAS The Test! (And the ‘lesson’ from Mr Abbot’s cover lesson)
This was perhaps the quickest test in the history of school tests!
But it had a super-important lesson that has stuck with me over 15 years on.
And it is a timeless lesson, because it is one that your teen needs to learn too.
If they want to ensure they give the examiner/teacher/assessor/other marker-type-person(!) exactly what they have asked for (and therefore the maximum marks they are capable of).
The old ‘Do Only Q1 Trick’!
This ‘trick’ test has a solid lesson for students in it (and it’s nothing to do with getting a high score).
Funny thing is, this lesson… well it turns out that it really does stick with students.
I discovered this fact when I bumped into a past student and we got chatting.
Brilliantly, she’s still using that ‘lesson’ to her advantage.
But even better, your teen can learn it without the test. Watch the video to find out what it is and the difference it makes to grades.
Is it too late?
In my book it is NEVER too late to make big improvements to your teen’s confidence and performance in exams.
This impromptu video (it’s the end of Term3 Event Week!) for this weeks’ Blog explains why!
Time To Start Using Time Limits
Who feels like they always have enough time and couldn’t use an extra hour or two in every day?
No?
Me neither.
One reason is that WE have lots going on.
The other reason is THERE is lots going on.
These days it is veeeerrrrry easy to get distracted and things that should take half an hour, end up taking double that or even more.
By giving anything on a ‘to do’ list a timing your son or daughter can really start to give a task their all, get it done quickly and efficiently AND to a higher standard because they are more focussed and less distracted.
Mystery And Magic
I was recently explaining to a new friend of mine what the 10 Week Grade Transformation Program is and what I do (and what it does for students!).
After a few minutes discussion given she came out with a really awesome analogy.
“Kinda like a magic trick” were her words.
Watch the video for my take on why she hit the nail right on the head.
Chunk EVERYTHING Down
The furthest I have ever run in one go is 10 miles, that’s approximately 16km.
It didn’t take me long to realise just how much this physical training was more about mental rather than muscle power.
It’s exactly the same for any task that feels overwhelming or a struggle, or just too hard.
What do you think your teenager would choose for homework. Writing an essay for the next 3 hours? Or writing an introduction for 30 minutes?
It’s all about chunking things down to make things manageable in a practical as well as mental sense.
P.S. I’ve since read that one of the UK’s best-ever marathon runners, Paula Radcliffe does this too… So if it’s good enough for the pro’s 🙂
What’s Going On Inside That Comfort Zone?
You’ve probably seen that little motivational image/sketch – with the circle showing our comfort zone, then the other circle set a little distance away from it, showing where the ‘Magic’ happens.
We have to push ourselves if we really want to see what is possible.
Since last week’s Expo I’ve spent a lot of this week not so much about specific, practical tips (which is what I’m usually all about!) but talking to students, parents and even my friends about how I’d love to see more students push their boundaries – see what they really are capable of.
So, in this video I share with you what is going on inside of that comfort zone.
What keeps us there.
The 4 mindsets that explain why it is so difficult to take that leap and move beyond our comfort zone.
Does Your Teen Really Need Study Breaks?
For some students they don’t take enough.
Others take the study break a little too far, for a little too long 😉
So are they really necessary?
(Spoiler alert: Yes)
And therefore how long should they be and how often?
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How To Track and Recognise Success (without gold stars and smiley faces!)
Teenagers are too old for smiley faces and gold star stickers.
But that doesn’t mean that they are too old for having their hard work and achievement recognised.
(Even if they pretend they aren’t ‘even bothered’) 😉
So how can you track and measure progress and set goals in a clear and mature fashion?