IDEA Counselors Urge Families to Watch for Signs of Testing Stress

As spring testing season approaches, counselors encourage parents to prepare students and watch for physical, emotional signs of anxiety.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 7:15pm

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As spring testing season nears, counselors at IDEA Public Schools in Austin are urging parents to watch for signs of stress and anxiety in their students. Counselors say early indicators like irritability, stomachaches, and avoidant behaviors often surface before students can fully express what they're feeling. They recommend parents focus on praising effort over scores, establish healthy routines, and partner with the school to provide support.

Why it matters

Testing season can be an especially stressful time for students, with pressure to perform academically. By recognizing early signs of anxiety and providing the right support, parents and schools can help students manage that stress in healthy ways and avoid more serious mental health issues.

The details

IDEA counselors say irritability, short tempers, and emotional outbursts are common signs of stress in older students, while younger students often experience physical symptoms like stomachaches, headaches, and crying spells. Parents may also notice spikes in anxiety on Sunday nights or the evenings before exams, as well as avoidant behaviors like not wanting to go to school. Counselors recommend that parents focus on praising effort over test scores, establish consistent healthy routines, and teach coping strategies like breathing exercises. IDEA partners with local mental health providers to offer free or low-cost counseling to students.

  • As spring testing season approaches
  • During National School Counseling Week, observed February 2-6

The players

Kajalynn Varese

A college prep counselor at IDEA Public Schools.

Mary Ann Silva

A counselor at IDEA Public Schools.

IDEA Public Schools

A network of public charter schools in Texas.

Austin Guidance Center

A community mental health provider that offers free or low-cost counseling to IDEA students.

LifeWorks

A community mental health provider that offers free or low-cost counseling to IDEA students.

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What they’re saying

“That kind of signifies that there's a deeper issue and it is time to kind of start asking questions like, what's all happening, and what can I help with?”

— Kajalynn Varese, College prep counselor

“They're not really able to pinpoint the source of this feeling. There's so much emphasis on testing from schools and even parents that they just don't know how to cope yet.”

— Mary Ann Silva, Counselor

“Boost their confidence by letting them know you can see them trying. Hyper-focusing on scores can be very harmful to the student.”

— Kajalynn Varese, College prep counselor

“Talking about too much every day can feel overwhelming.”

— Mary Ann Silva, Counselor

“Parents, you and the school, it's a simple partnership. And you're more than just a test score. First and foremost, you're kind. As long as you're giving your best effort, that's what matters.”

— Kajalynn Varese, College prep counselor

What’s next

IDEA counselors will be providing additional support and resources to students and families during National School Counseling Week, observed February 2-6.

The takeaway

By working closely with parents to identify early signs of testing stress and providing a range of coping strategies and mental health resources, IDEA counselors aim to help students manage anxiety in healthy ways and focus on their overall well-being, not just test scores.