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got a not so good grade
In my school we have word study tests weekly. I'm in Greek and Latin roots, and I'm in 5th grade. I usually get good grades like 10/10, 9/10,and 8/10. But this time,I got a 6/10. My worst grade! I got four wrong, and only 6 right! The worst part is that I have to get it signed by a parent, and I'm afraid my mom will be mad at me, and I'll get in trouble. I once got yelled at for getting a 14/30 on a multiplication test (that's sports like the word study situation, right?) And I'm in the highest math group, exceed in science, get all the answers right in reading, and do great in theatre arts and sports. I'm afraid that I've set my parents expectations do high, that if I don't live up to it for the rest of my life, they'll be enraged. Please answer soon, I've gotta turn it in, if it doesn't get turned in in 3 days, an email gets sent home and that means even bigger trouble. My parents don't get mad over everything, and Steve very strict or hand out big punishments when I make a mistake, but school I'd the one thing they take seriously. What should I do?
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Maybe give some free advice about: School?
A test is only a tool, to be used as an indicator of whether someone needs more work and study on an area. So getting a lower result than you normally do shouldn't be viewed as a bad thing.
There are factors other than just a lack of study, or a lack of understanding the material that can have impact on the results of a st. A lack of good sleep is one. Even if you went to bed on time, if your mind kept racing and you had trouble falling asleep or bad dreams kept you up, that could have an effect on ability to concentrate even if you know the subject matter tested on. Being ill, especially head colds that affect ones ability to think straight or really bad headaches, can and will affect ones performance whether at work on the job or at school. If you simply did not know the answers and got them wrong, then it means thats an area you need to study more.
In this case, you can ask the teacher what you can do to restudy that area and if a makeup test is allowed. If it isn't, I would still ask what extra work and study I can do to come to understand to part I messed up on. Whether it shows on your test grade records or not, at least the teacher will know you eventually got it, and you'll have the personal satisfaction of eventually learning it.
Your parents are only human and will at times perhaps have the wrong outlook or perspective. If you told them how fearful you were of them being angry over this test grade, perhaps they could come to the understanding that they need to be mindful to be more supportive and calmly ask what you think went wrong. And encourage you to do whatever you can to fit in studying the part you finding out did not get and follow teachers 'make-up' instructions.
The stress you would carry from fearing their reaction could affect your future ability in tests. And in time create a snowball effect that compounds until you begin to get lower grades on many tests, not because you don't know the material, but because subconsciously your mind is so emotionally focused on possible negative reactions from the parents that you can not focus on the test.
So all in all, you and the parents need to have a good talk together. Heres a hint for having productive conversation. No choice of wording that seems to point the blame or accuse.
For example: Instead of saying "You guys have made me stressed over one low test score because you always over-react and make me scared to tell you."
Instead say something like:
"I am feeling stressed out over one low test score because in past experiences, I interpreted your reactions as anger and disapproving and negative. I know you love me and want the best for me so can we talk about this?"
If they can sense they aren't being attacked, the parents are more likely to be open to hearing some information that may help them realize a possible need to adjust how they support you in school work. They may think their version so far is what is keeping you on track but at what cost? There is enough stress in the world today that having stress added to unknowingly from family, is definitely not a good thing. So you will just be bringing this fact to their attention. In your talk, stay calm, take deep breaths, try Good luck dear.
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