How to Tackle Test Anxiety

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:

  1. You experience physical symptoms before a test such as insomnia, nausea, headaches, sweating and sometimes shortness of breath.
  2. You experience cognitive issues such as difficulty remembering things you have studied and were sure you knew, as well as trouble concentrating.
  3. You experience emotional ailments such as fear, helplessness and even anger.

How to calm those pre-test jitters:

  1. 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.
  2. Practice relaxation techniques. We swear by things like essential oils and breath work.
  3. 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. 
  4. 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.
  5. 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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