If you're anything like me, you suffer from really bad test anxiety. I know that it can be difficult, devastating even, to you, and your grades, having this anxiety. I want to talk to you today about how to possibly make the anxiety decrease, or hopefully diminish, when you have a test, or are taking it. Now, there are many people that say "just study and you'll be fine," but sadly, studying too little is not always the case. A lot of people, including myself, actually study so much we get the information confused.Test anxiety has many symptoms, both physical and mental, and can really bring the most prepared person down if they have this issue. Believe me, I know it is not fun having to deal with any type of anxiety, but there are some really interesting ways to help bring test anxiety down a few notches.
1 . Dress For Success.
I'll admit, when I first had a friend tell me to try this, I was a little skeptical. I thought that this was more of an interview tip than a test taking tip, but really if your self confidence is up, so should your confidence in knowing that you can do this test, and rock it. I personally do not do this one often, but when I am being tested on a speech, for example, I will dress up nicer to help make myself not only look more professional, but help me to feel confident in myself as well.
2. Remember To Breathe.
If there is one thing I forget to do when I have an anxiety attack of any kind, it is breathing. Breathing is so important, in more ways than one, and it is what can help you to calm down. If you begin to get anxious while taking a test, try closing your eyes and breathing deeply from your diaphragm. I have come to find this helpful if I am having any type of anxiety, and I really love suggesting the breathing technique to anyone. If you need help knowing whether or not you are breathing from the right place, lay flat on your back on the floor, place a book, or another object, on your stomach, and breathe deeply. You should see the object rise and fall on your stomach.
3. Remind Yourself You Can Do It.
Many times when people get anxious they begin to doubt their capabilities. Test taking is no exception to this rule. Murmuring something like, "I can do this," under your breath is something that can really help you to calm down. I really love to say, "I studied, I did my best, and that is all that matters," during, and after, a test. It is a soothing thing to do, and it is something you can do, along with breathing, during the test.
In review, these are three simple steps that I have done to help with past, present, and future episodes of test anxiety. I know that it can be hard, but I promise you are not alone in this fight, and there are many people who want to help you get through it. There are many more ways to help prevent episodes of test anxiety, but these are three I am confident work for myself, and have had other friends tell me work for them as well. Hopefully these tips came in handy for you, and best of luck on your next exam!
