Quiz
1. Auditions for the school play are next week. You were born to play Dorothy! Every day after school, you...
a. pat your hampster three times for good luck.
b. practice your audition lines in front of a mirror
c. call your friends, and ask them if they think you'll get the part.
2. It's the night before soccer tryouts. You plan to...
a. go to bed early.
b. stay extra late at the park to practice your kicks and passes.
c. watch Mia Hamm in game videos
3. You're running for student council president. It's time for your campaign speech-and you have butterflies the size of elephants in you stomach! To calm yourself down, you...
a. imagine everyone in the audience wearing silly underwear.
b. tell yourself you don't really want to win anyway.
c. take a few deep breaths.
4. Two, four, six, eight-making the cheer squad would be so great! An hour or so before the tryout, you...
a. eat a candy bar for a boost of energy.
b. snack on popcorn or pretzels.
c. grab a double cheeseburger and fries at Burger Bob's
5. You're trying out for the qymnastics team. In the middle of your floor routine, you trip and fall. You...
a. get back up and finish your routine, ending with a smile.
b. run to the bathroom crying.
c. point out that the mat was too slippery, and ask the coach if you can start over.
6. You're at the pool with your toes on the mark, waiting for the starting signal. If these laps go well, you'll make the team! Before diving in, you...
a. try to remember that new trick your coach talked about.
b. picture yourself swimming the strokes perfectly.
c. fiddle with your goggles.
7. Bad news-the coach just announced the members of the track team, and you didn't make the cut. Right away, you...
a. remind yourself of all the mistakes you made at the tryouts.
b. blame it on the coach. She never did like people with freckles, anyway.
c. ask the coach for a few pointers for next time.
Answers These tips will help take the fear out of any tryout
1b. It won't hurt to pat your pet, and talking to your friends may make you feel better. But you'll have a better chance for success if you do three things. First, find out all you can about the audition or tryout. Know when to arrive, what to bring, and where you will perform. Next, ask the director or coach what skills he or she wants to see. Then set aside time each day to practice. Talk or sing in front of a mirror, or ask a friend to rehearse with you. Finally, get feedback from someone you trust. Say something like, "Don't just tell me I'm doing fine-tell me how I can do better!"
2b. You probably won't learn anything new by watching last minute game videos, and staying up late to practice will leave you too pooped to perform. Relax the night before with your family or friends, and turn in early. Aim for nine hours of sleep. Try not to let bedtime turn into worry time-before going to sleep, imagine yourself performing perfectly. Thinking positively will help make your dreams of success become real!
3c. It's natural to get jittery before a performance. Thinking about the competition, though, may make you more nervous-and imagining the audience in their underwear could crack your concentration! Instead, take some belly breaths-inhale slowly from your stomach, feeling the air fill your lungs. Exhale slowly, and repeat. Try saying a calming word to yourself as you breathe, like "Easy...easy...easy..." Do some belly breathing before hand. Take ten slow breaths and wiggle your arms and legs to get rid of the tension in your body. It usually works!
4b. a sugary snack will give you a boost but can leave you sagging an hour later. Eating a big meal could spell disaster for your stomach! Try munching on bagels, crackers, or popcorn an hour before your tryout. To avoid dehydration, it's important to drink plenty of water before, during, and after a sports tryout. Just remember to take bathroom breaks, too!
5a. Don't flip out becasue you flopped! Avoid calling attention to your mistake, and show your spirit and style by ending with a smile. Let the coach see you've got guts and determination-that's often what really counts!
6b. Now's the time to focus. concentrate ont eh moment. Imagine a bird's eye vies of the tryout, then picture yourself close-up. Visualize yourself slicing through the water, delivering a great speech, or hittimg every note. See the pictures in your head. If you believe it, you'll achieve it!
7c. No doubt about it-not reaching your goals is tough. don't give up! If you tried out for something you love, stick with it. Ask the coach for pointers so you'll do better next time. When you're ready, think of some other way you could have fun this year. Then try it!
