After a failed test — how I helped a student see beyond the score

A student of mine failed a big test yesterday.

She looked really sad and worried.

I said, 'This does not define you.'

She looked up and took a breath.

Then I added, 'Let us look at what we can fix.'

We opened the test paper together.

I pointed to one section she did well.

Then we found two easy mistakes.

I said, 'I have seen you do hard things.'

She smiled a little at that.

We made a plan for next week.

She agreed to try a new study habit.