Beat the Test Stress! by Shabnam M.

Oh no… there is a test coming up! What if you don’t pass? Don’t be scared! MAG is here to help! Whether it’s a simple spelling test or a huge state assessment, we’ll get you through the tension.

When the teacher announces there will be a test...
Write this down! Write it in your planner, in your notebook, on a sticky note, or even on your hand! Be sure to write the subject, things you will be tested on, and the date.
For example:
Science Test on Electricity on 4/8/08
Highlight these words with a bright color, and keep it in a place where you can see it.

When you are taking notes in class…
Listen for things the teacher repeats, things the teacher is excited about, and things the teacher says louder and stronger than other words.
If the teacher says “this will be on a test”, then take a highlighter, write a big T next to that note, and circle it. Then, when you review your notes, you will know to remember those things.
DO NOT write everything the teacher says. ONLY write the things you think are important.

While you are studying…
Read over your notes a few times. And now it’s time to have fun! Make flash cards with the things that will be on the test and play a game with yourself. Can you remember all the important information that you will be tested on? Make posters with your notes and hang them up in your room.
Make a study plan. When the teacher announces there is a test, set a goal. You should at least study an hour every two days. So 30 minutes to an hour a day is what you should be looking forward to.

The night before the test…
Read over your notes one last time, and then have a big break! Do the things that you have fun doing. Play a game on the computer. Watch TV. Hang out with your siblings. Take a relaxing bath. Do anything that makes you happy and calms you down.
Have a snack before you go to bed. Cookies and milk are a great choice.
Be sure to pray Isha! Only Allah is here to help you through your hardships, and if you don’t pray to Him, He won’t help you!
After prayer, do a few stretches. Make sure to take big, deep breaths.
Have a good night!

Today is the day!
The test is today! Don’t start your day by having a nervous breakdown. Do some stretches, like last night. Get all cleaned up and fresh. If you haven’t already prayed Fajr, do it now.
Have a very good breakfast. You probably heard that a big breakfast helps you. Have some buttered toast, waffles, pancakes, or a big bowl of your favorite cereal (make sure it isn’t too sugary!). Drink a glass of milk or orange juice and eat a whole fruit, like a banana.

While you’re taking the test…
Calm down! Take big, deep breaths. Before you start, say “bismillah”. Whenever you are sure of an answer, give yourself a compliment inside your head, such as “Great Job!” or “Perfect!” to keep your confidence boosted.
When you are done, say “Alhamdulillah!” You made it through!

Test-taking Secrets!
While you are studying, wear a scented lotion. Then, on the day of the test, wear the same lotion. Studies show that smells can spring memories! Peppermint and citrus-smelling lotions are good ideas. They make you feel more alert.

On the day of the test, wear soft, comfortable clothes. These makes you feel more relaxed. So get rid of the idea of wearing that stiff shirt, itchy hijab, and ice-cold skirt!

We wish you good luck on the test. Insha-allah, you will get a good grade!

Probably in your life, you have prayed to Allah for things you would like. They can be material, like a nice pair of shoes, or they can be non-material, like having knowledge or kindness. Maybe you already know this dua. But do you know what the story is behind it?

Rabbi inni lima anzalta ilayya min khairin faqir.

My Rabb! I am indeed needy of whatever good You may send me.
(Al-Qasas 28:24)

The Prophet Musa (A) was banished from Egypt after he killed an Egyptian man. He was walking in the vast desert for many days. After all those days, he ended up in a place called Madyan. In Madyan, he helped some young women take water from a well. After that, Musa (A) made this dua.

Musa (A) could have asked for anything else, such as food, shelter, and money. Instead, the prophet Musa (A) asked for anything good Allah could send to him. Musa (A) knew that Allah knew the best thing for everyone.

Very soon after that, one of the young women came to Musa (A) with a message from her father. They gave him a place to rest, comfort, clothing, shelter, and food. The father also asked Musa (A) to marry one of his daughters. Musa (A) even got to stay with them for 8 years! So, this Nabi got much more than food, shelter, or money.

Whenever you make salat, remember to recite this dua. You have read how this dua is truly amazing. Remember, Allah knows what's best for you, best for me, best for everybody.

Editor's Pick: 21 Du'a for Children is a great book! There are 21 Du'a with explanations (of course) and 6 additional Du'a. This is a perfect book for any school age Muslim kid. And it's only $2!

21 Du'a for Children
by Mansur Ahmad, PhD
published by WeekendLearning Publishers

It was a beautiful spring day on the farm. All the baby animals were playing, while their loving parents watched them. All the young animals were playing, except one, a beautiful calf. Her name was Moola. She was a shy calf, with black and white markings all over her body. She was shy because Moola doesn’t rhyme with “Andy”. Every other animals name rhymed with “Andy” because that was the farmer’s name.
Moola always tried to hide behind the trees or on the backside of the barn. Whenever Moola was in the pasture, the lambs and the foals teased her. “Moola, can you do the hula?” Then they laughed.
Whenever Moola passed the barn, the chicks, kittens and puppies said the same nasty words. When Moola wanted to drink water at the pond, the ducklings, goslings and cygnets would tease her. She would come back without drinking.
Moola was quite lonely, but she had only one friend. His name was Dandy. Everyone called him Dandy the Goat but he was actually a baby goat, a kid. Dandy was lonely too.
Moola felt bad for Dandy. His parents had died of sickness. Since both of them were lonely, they became friends.
One day, Dandy was walking with Moola. Moola said, “I’m so different. I can’t live here. I’m going to a place where everyone’s name rhymes with ‘oola’”. Dandy didn’t seem to hear.
Moola started walking. Dandy did not know where Moola was going. As a good friend, Dandy followed Moola. Moola walked to the farm fence. She broke it and walked through it. She went straight into the woods.
Soon Dandy and Moola were lost. Moola could not find any cows to talk to. She did not find anyone whose name rhymed with “oola” She still had the same friend, a goat, whose name rhymed with “Andy”.
Back at the farm, everyone was searching for the animals. The news of the missing animals spread around the village. Mandy, the farmer’s wife, was crying. Everyone felt that Moola was special.
One day, two hunters went to hunt in the woods. They found Moola and Dandy, who became lean without enough food. The hunters brought the animals back to the farm. Everyone was happy! They brought lots of food for both of them.
From then on, nobody teased Moola.

This game is based on your knowledge! It's really fun to play with a big group of friends.

You will need: A dice, a small carboard box shaped like a cube

What to do: On each side of the box, write a noun with many categories with a permanent marker. Here are some ideas:
fruits, vegetables, states, names, story characters, flowers, countries, languages, colors, types of clothing, etc.

How to play: Have 3 or more people sit in a circle. Somebody has to throw the box up into the air. The side that is facing up when it lands is the subject you are supposed to use for the game. Lets say it landed on fruits.
Hand the dice to the first player. The first player will roll the dice. Suppose it lands on 2. Now she has to name two fruits. Write down the fruits she names.
The dice goes around the circle and people must name as many fruits as the number on the dice says. Write down all the fruits. When someone cannot name enough fruits, she is out.

Object of the game: To be the last person in the circle.