Letter from the Superintendent

Testing Tips!

 We had a wonderful speaker a couple of weeks ago. His name is Bruce Boguski and he taught us all kinds of weird and fun tips on how to perform better! I would love to share some of his wonderful advice!


Scent!
Some scents are shown to help us perform better in specific areas. You can use this while studying, during class, and during exams!
English/Language - LEMON! Burn a lemon scented candle while studying and eat lemon candy during class or the exam.
Math/Science - PEPPERMINT! Not only is peppermint helpful during math/science, it also makes us alert and gives us energy. Feeling a little sluggish? Eat a peppermint!

Before the test!
It is important to get yourself in the right state of mind before taking a test or entering a stressful situation. Here are some things you can do that might help.

• Take a deep breath. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Your stomach should expand!
• Stretch. You can discreetly stretch calf muscles before and during an exam. 
• Laugh! This relaxes you and puts you in the right frame of mind to do your best!
• Develop a ritual. Call it superstition if you wish, but people who have a ritual do better. It can be anything from taking a few deep breaths, telling your friend a joke, stretching, or anything else! Just do it every time you are getting ready for a stressful situation or exam. 

Increase Test Scores!
Who wants higher test scores? There are some pretty funny ways to get them! I dare you to try all of them:)

• Smile during the test.
• Gently pull your jaw forward. 
• There is a spot right in front of your ear, where you can feel your jaw move as you open your mouth. Gently rub this spot in circles for about 10 seconds. 

Are you feeling silly yet? Try this!

• Wear a Breathe Right strip during the test.
• Wear a mouth guard during the test. 

Boost your Brain!

Your brain consists of the left and right side. The right side of your brain is more creative, while the left side is more analytical. As a result, it may be helpful to activate a specific side of the brain for certain tests!

• Taking an English test and need to be more creative? You can activate the right side of your brain by doing something with the left side of your body!
• Taking a math or science test and need to be more analytical? You can activate the left side of your brain by doing something with the right side of your body!

Here are some things to try:

• Extend your hand and make a sideways lazy 8. Use your left hand to be more creative or your right hand to be more analytical. 
• Take 2-3 deep breaths out of only 1 nostril! Breathe through your left nostril to be more creative or your right nostril to be more analytical. 

How to "Unstick" Your Brain!

Imagine yourself taking a test. You have read the question multiple times and you KNOW you know the answer. But you just can not seem to think of it! Try this!

• Touch elbow to opposite knee, touch other elbow to other knee. Do this as slow as possible multiple times. This would be great to do before you begin an exam. 
• Need something more discreet, and less weird? Try rubbing/massaging the top of one or both of your ears. 

I hope you like these fun and unusual tips! Practice them regularly to make them a natural part of your test taking and studying routine!