• LABELLING

Example: “I’m a loser. I’m a failure.” Challenge: “This exam or essay did not go well, but learn from it.”

• DEMANDING

Example: “I should write five hundred words today.” Challenge: “It would be great if you could write five hundred words today.”

• EXPRESSING LOW FRUSTRATION

Example: “Writing this part is unbearably hard.” Challenge: “It is hard, but not too hard. You have found tasks hard before, and you have completed them.”

• ALL-OR-NOTHING THINKING

Example: “I did this exam or essay all wrong.” Challenge: “You did a good job addressing these marking criteria, you just have to refine how you address those marking criteria.”

• DISCOUNTING THE POSITIVE

Example: “Anyone could have gotten the high mark that I did.” Challenge: “You listened well or studied well to get this mark. You earned it.”