Having anxiety when it comes to taking a test can be a normal feeling from time to time. In fact, test anxiety is so common that results from a 2010 study showed that 10-40 percent of students are suffering from it, and it can produce a 12% decline in scores. The good news is that there are strategies to help.
So, how to know if you are experiencing pre-test anxiety:
- You experience physical symptoms before a test such as insomnia, nausea, headaches, sweating and sometimes shortness of breath.
- You experience cognitive issues such as difficulty remembering things you have studied and were sure you knew, as well as trouble concentrating.
- You experience emotional ailments such as fear, helplessness and even anger.
How to calm those pre-test jitters:
- Take the fear out of it. A great way to do this is by making sure you are over-prepared. By feeling completely ready and prepared to take a test you may also find you are able to control that feeling of anxiety and turn it into excitement…well maybe.
- Practice relaxation techniques. We swear by things like essential oils and breath work.
- Movement! A study conducted by the International Journal of Yoga, delivered results proving that when yoga was practiced by high-stress students, their stress levels lowered AND they performed better in school. Learn more about a few poses we recommend for relaxation and focus.
- Self-care. This is so important! The night before a test make sure you reward your mind and body for helping you retain the information you worked so hard to understand. Take a bath, get a good night sleep, hydrate, etc.
- Before your test, make sure you are eating brain-boosting foods and avoiding anything that may make you feel foggy.
For more information on getting rid of pre-test anxiety, please feel free to reach out to our office. We have a ton of proven ticks and tricks for squashing any of those jitters and setting a student up for success during test time.
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