Celebrate small wins—quizzes count!

Quizzes can feel like big, heavy moments — a short test that suddenly seems to decide how smart you are. As your teacher, I want you to know something important: quizzes are small steps on a long journey, and each one is a chance to celebrate how much you’re learning. When you notice and celebrate small wins, even tiny ones, you build confidence and a habit of looking for progress instead of perfection. That makes hard times feel easier and helps your feelings stay steady when things don’t go exactly as planned.

A quiz is not the whole story. It’s a snapshot showing what you knew today, what you’re ready to work on tomorrow, and how far you’ve already come. Try to treat quizzes like practice rounds. When you get a question right, remember the effort you put in. When you miss one, notice what it teaches you. Saying simple, kind things to yourself after a quiz can change how you feel about school. Teachers notice when students use gentle self-talk and share their small wins — it lifts the whole classroom mood.

Here are short phrases you can use that really help. Say them out loud, write them on a sticky note, or hear them from your teacher: - I tried my best and that matters. - One step at a time. - I learned something new today. - Mistakes help me grow. - I can ask for help when I need it. - I’m proud of my effort. - Quizzes show progress, not perfection.

Celebration doesn’t have to be big. A quick high-five, a sticker on your paper, a five-minute stretch, or a note in your planner about what you did well makes your brain notice success. I often ask students to name one thing they did well before we look at scores together. That small pause changes the whole conversation from “Did I pass?” to “What did I learn?” It’s also okay to feel disappointed if a quiz didn’t go as you hoped — feelings are real and important. Name the feeling, take a deep breath, and then pick one thing to try next time, like studying a topic for ten more minutes or asking a question in class.

Parents and teachers can help by celebrating the process: praise a strategy, a steady habit, or the courage to ask for help. Keep a “wins jar” or a simple chart where you record small successes — seeing them add up feels powerful. Over time, these tiny celebrations add up to bigger confidence and stronger study skills. Remember, being brave about learning means showing up, trying, and choosing to keep going. Quizzes count because they’re part of that brave practice. When you celebrate the small wins, you train your heart and mind to notice growth — and that helps you get through hard times and enjoy the ride a lot more.