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Tips for Success – Text Anxiety
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Test anxiety is normal for college students. It affects some students more than others, so don’t think that it’s just you.
What is test anxiety?
Physically, test anxiety can reduce the flow of blood to our brains, making it hard to think clearly. Our hearts beat faster, we get stomach and muscle aches, and we get lightheaded.
Emotionally, we worry, doubt ourselves, and have other negative thoughts.
Causes of test anxiety
Test anxiety can be triggered by a number of situations, including pressure by family members, negative reactions of others to your poor grades, and taking an exam while you were sick or stressed.
Other possible causes include unfamiliar situations (new professor, first test, first semester), poor preparation on your part, self-negativity, and other personal stressors.
Minimizing test anxiety
- Learn more about it, so that you can admit and accept that you have it
- Minimize or avoid stressors; focus on positive thoughts
- Avoid major changes around test dates
- Don’t take on too much responsibility in a semester
- Prepare for a test by knowing:
- what material will be covered (meet with your professor or tutor if you have questions)
- how much time you will have
- what type of questions will be asked (multiple choice, T/F, essay)
- what percent of the final grade it is worth
- what formulas or other information will be provided (only memorize what you need to; don’t over-study)
- Get a good night’s sleep, and eat a good meal (avoiding caffeine) before a test. Exercise regularly.
- Dress based on the test room temperature or, if you’re not sure, dress in layers.
- If seats are not assigned, sit where you will be least distracted.
- Read test questions slowly can carefully.
- Don’t worry about the other students. Talking with or complaining to them can lower your confidence. Forget they’re in the room.
- Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. as long as you learn from them. Reward yourself for improvements, no matter how small.
- Take time to stop and breathe deeply, or close your eyes and try to relax your muscles, or take a short break to daydream about something pleasant and positive.
How we can help lessen your test anxiety
- Join a support group. Contact Counseling, Career & Disability Services for information.
- Seek guidance from a professional counselor who will work with you and support you.
- Join Project Success to be better prepared to take exams.
- Occasionally, you get so many stressors in your life that you can’t control. In these cases, it may be best for you to take time off from college until your personal life improves.