test anxiety: how to fight the pressure

Feeling too anxious about a test is commonly known as test anxiety. It is perfectly normal to feel some anxiety when preparing for and taking a test.  In fact, a little anxiety can jump start your studying and keep you motivated. However, too much anxiety can interfere with your studying. You may have difficulty learning and remembering what you need to know for the test because you’re too scared about failing to think about anything else. Further, too much anxiety may block your performance during the test, causing you to have trouble showing how well you know the material.

You might have test anxiety if you answer YES to four or more of the following:

1. I have a hard time getting started studying for a test.
2. When studying for a test, I find many things that distract me.
3. I expect to do poorly on a test no matter how much or how hard I study.
4. When taking a test, I experience physical discomfort such as sweaty palms, an upset stomach, a headache, difficulty breathing, and tension in my muscles.
5. When taking a test, I find it difficult to understand the directions and questions.
6. When taking a test, I have difficulty organizing my thoughts.
7. When taking a test, I often “draw a blank.”
8. When taking a test, I find my mind wandering to other things.
9. I usually score lower on a test than I do on assignments and papers.
10. After a test, I remember information I couldn’t recall during the test.

Great… now what?? Here are some things you can do before, during, and after a test to reduce your test anxiety.

1. Use good study techniques to gain an understanding of the material that will be covered on the test. Figure out how the different pieces of the material connect so that it makes better sense. This type of mastery will help you to approach the test with confidence rather than have excessive anxiety.
2. Maintain a positive attitude as you study. Think about passing, not failing. A test is an opportunity to show how much you have learned, and most teachers design tests to make sure you adequately understand the material. Trickery usually isn’t on the menu.
3. Go into the test well rested and well fed. If it is a morning test, be sure to get enough sleep the night before. If it’s in the afternoon, try to eat a light and nutritious meal before the test. Heavy foods tend to make people tired. If possible, stash an emergency candy bar in your bookbag in case you need a quick pick-me-up.
4. Stay relaxed during the test. Taking slow, deep breaths can help. Focus on positive self-statements such as “I know this” and “I can do this.”
5. Don’t worry about other students finishing the test before you do. Take the time that you need to do your best. It is more important to do your best than to keep up with the crowd.
6. Look over your work before you hand it in so that you can fix any careless mistakes that may lower your grade.
7. Once you finish the test and hand it in, forget about it temporarily. There is nothing more you can do until the graded test is returned to you. Turn your attention and effort to new assignments and tests.
8. When the graded test is returned to you, analyze it to see how you could have done better.  Learn from your mistakes and from what you did well. Apply this knowledge when you take the next test.

Don’t let your fears about a test negatively effect your performance. Confidence in yourself and your abilities is the key to being a successful test taker.

<<reference: www.how-to-study.com>> GREAT website!

organization: your new BFF

my recent finals-induced hiatus from “ask miss g” got me thinking about the importance of organization and time-management. usually, i’m pretty cool in this department. in college, i rarely got all stressed out about papers and tests and random off-the-syllabus assignments that professors loooove to give (because of course you have nothing better to do). i just planned out my time, did my work, and moved on. even in grad school i haven’t been too sluggish about giving myself enough time to complete my assignments and still maintaining a life. that is, until like 2 weeks ago. it seems like everything just snuck up on me until it got to the ‘oh crap this stuff is due next week’ time and i realized how far behind i was. and in case you’re wondering, doing 2 presentations, making handouts, and writing a research paper at the same time is the opposite fun.

 

the difference between then and now is that i was not my usual freakishly OCD self when it came to organizing my time. last semester, for example, i put all of my assignments in iCal and even wrote out when i needed to start everything. a bit excessive, yes, but it was totally helpful. now i know that being organized and managing time well isn’t high on many people’s lists of things to do (& if you’re already making lists then maybe you don’t need this post), but it definitely comes in handy in college and beyond. it’s great to start early (like in high school) when you don’t have as much stuff to do. the idea is to start small and really master it so that when it comes time to put them to use they’ll be old hat.

 

here are a few tips to get started:

• color-coding: having the same color folders and notebooks for particular classes makes it helpful when you’re rushing to just grab the set and go.
• to-do lists: this the tried-and-true method of making sure to get stuff done. semester assignment lists are a good way to see what has to be done and when. and if you’re really disorganized, try weekly or daily lists just to keep yourself on track.
• computer stuff: i personally LOVE these things! google calendar lets you make different calendars for different aspects of your life and you can also set it to remind you of things. it’s like microsoft outlook… only better because it’s google.
• planner: old-fashioned, yes, but it def gets the job done. planners are especially great for remember the assignment changes that profs and teachers announce in class.

 

being organized is great, but DON’T BECOME A SCHEDULE FREAK!! i can’t stress this enough. you should use your schedule as a guide, not as a life plan. if you miss an internal deadline (i.e. one that you set rather than a due date) don’t beat yourself up. the goal is to make life less stressful, not more.