April can be a lot.

With testing season happening in most schools, it often brings a wave of stress and overwhelm.

Students who were steady start to feel more emotional.
Small things turn into bigger reactions.
Focus isn’t quite as easy to access.

And many educators find themselves thinking:
“What is going on right now?”

Here’s the thing—what we’re seeing with girls during testing season isn’t just academic.

It’s more than that.

What’s Really Going On

When pressure increases, girls don’t just think differently—they feel differently.

• Their nervous systems are more activated

• They become more aware of what others are thinking

• Their need for reassurance and belonging gets stronger

So what shows up on the outside is:

• distraction

• irritability

• shutting down

• friendship tension

It is often something deeper:

A quiet questioning of confidence.

The Place to Lean In: Belonging

When a girl feels like she belongs, everything shifts.

She raises her hand to ask a question.
She takes risks in sharing her ideas.

She can move through something hard and stay with it.

But when that feeling wobbles, even just a little, her confidence goes with it.

And during testing season… that wobble happens more easily.

That’s why this time of year isn’t just about preparing students.

It’s about building them up and anchoring them at the same time.

What Girls Actually Need Right Now

Not more pressure.
No more corrections.
Not another reminder to “just focus.”

They need small, intentional moments that help them feel:

• grounded in themselves

• connected to the people around them

• capable of handling what’s in front of them

And here’s the best part…

This doesn’t require more time.
It just requires being a little more intentional with the moments you already have.

3 Simple Ways to Support Girls During Testing Season

1. Create Quick Moments of Connection

You don’t need a big lesson or extra block of time.

Even 1–2 minutes can completely shift the energy.

Try:

• “Turn and share one word for how you’re feeling today.”

• A quick partner check-in before you begin

These moments remind girls:
“I’m not the only one.”

2. Say What They’re Already Feeling

A lot of girls are sitting there thinking:
“Why do I feel like this?”

When you say:

“A lot of people feel nervous before testing…”

You instantly:

• reduce anxiety

• normalize their experience

• create emotional safety

Simple and powerful

3. Give Them a Place to Land First

Before we ask for focus, we have to support regulation.

That can look like:

• one deep breath together

• 30 seconds of stillness

• calming music as students walk in

Because a regulated student can actually access what they know.

The Bigger Picture

When we support girls in these small ways, we’re not just helping them get through testing.

We’re helping them learn:

• How to handle pressure

• How to stay connected to themselves

• How to move through challenges with confidence

And those are the skills that last far beyond a test.

A Final Thought

During this time of year, girls don’t need perfection.

They need presence.

Small moments of connection.
Simple reminders that they’re capable.
A classroom that still feels steady, even when things feel hard.

Because confidence isn’t built from getting everything right.

It’s built when girls feel supported enough to keep going.