Test Anxiety

Tips for Academic Demands and Test Anxiety

Stress is one of the most common long-term cause of stress for college students. However, even students in primary school feel pressured to excel academically. When you don’t get the results you think you should get, or you feel pressured to get certain academic results, this can cause a lot of stress. For some students, high school or college is the first time they are academically challenged. If middle school was a breeze, the more advance high school classes may reduce your achievements, leaving students lacking confidence. If high school was a breeze, college may be the first time they get a low grade on a test. Consequently, test anxiety may be experienced for the first time or with increased intensity. Below are some ways to manage or reduce the anxiety.

Study As Much As You Can

One of the causes of test anxiety is the fear that you didn’t study enough. By studying as much as you can, you can reduce this fear.

Try to Mimic Test Taking Conditions

It might be taking practice tests, studying in the same classroom or building where you will be taking the test or doing practice problems under timed conditions. These steps can help familiarize you to otherwise unfamiliar test taking conditions.

students studying with flashcards on lawn

Learn to Study More Effectively

Maybe it’s getting a tutor to help explain concepts, someone to double check your work or using something as simple as flashcards to study. Finding tools to help you study more effectively can make all the difference.

Find Ways to Calm Down

What cools you down? Squeezing a stress ball? Taking deep breaths? Whatever relaxation technique you choose can help reduce the symptoms of text anxiety. Check out this on-demand webinar with some coping skill techniques like starfish breathing. One quick tip if you’re at home is to stand in front of an open freezer door or if you’re on the go, find a restroom and run cool water over your wrist. Our Dealing with Anxiety of the Unknown on-demand webinar has those and other coping tips.

Watch Your Diet

Eat well and eat properly. For example, too much caffeine can exacerbate the physical symptoms of test anxiety.

Get Enough Sleep

Research is clear that not getting enough sleep can impair one’s memory and reasoning abilities. The more clear-headed you are, the less anxious you will feel.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise can release tension, and the less tension you feel as you go into the test, the better off you might be.

If you cannot shake the stress and anxiety or it’s impacting your day-to-day functioning, please call Peace River Center’s free, 24-hour Crisis Line, 863.519.3744.

Source: https://www.learnpsychology.org/student-stress-anxiety-guide/

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