Test Anxiety: Part 2

Yesterday's post discussed the strategies to help with test anxiety as you prepare for a test. It is normal to expect some anxiety. This anxiety is a reminder that you want to do your best, but you are in control and need to stay relaxed enough to focus on the test. Here are some strategies to help with test anxiety during the test:

• Read the directions carefully and always ask for help if something is unclear.


• Pay attention to your test taking time and don't spend too long on one area.


• Change positions to help you relax.


• If you go blank, skip the question and go on. You can always come back later.


• Don't panic when other students start handing in their papers. Being the first one done does not necessarily mean doing well.


• If you find yourself tensing up and getting anxious during the test, relax and take slow deep breaths. You are in control.


• After the test, review the strategies you used:
  List what worked and use it again. List what did not work and try to improve it later.

Try these strategies out on your next test and post a comment about they helped with test anxiety!

Test Anxiety: Part 1

Most of you probably experience some nervousness about taking tests, but for some of you just the thought of taking a test can be overwhelming. There are certain things you can do before and during the test to help relieve some of this test anxiety. This post will be Test Anxiety:Part 1. It will discuss strategies to help with test anxiety as you prepare for the test. Tomorrow's post will be Test Anxiety:Part 2, which will discuss helping with test anxiety during the test.

Try these strategies as you prepare for the test:

• Approach the test with confidence. Picture yourself doing well.
• Be prepared! Organize and learn the necessary material. Don't wait to study the night before.
• Allow yourself plenty of time to do things you need to do before the test (get a drink, sharpen pencils, turn in study guide, etc.)
• Try to relax.
• Don't talk to students who have not prepared and are being negative.
• Get a good night's sleep the night before the exam.
• Eat a healthy snack before the test and avoid sugary foods.

Try these strategies as you prepare for your next test and post a comment about how they work for you!

Make a list! (and check it twice)

With all you have going between school, sports, friends, club meetings, family events, and all your other responsibilities it can be difficult to know how you can possibly get everything done. Making a list of all your school responsibilities can help keep you on track. Start by listing out all the tasks you need to do within the day, week, or whatever time period works best for you. Start numbering each task 1 to however many tasks you have, 1 being the most important. Consider these things as you place your tasks in order:

• length of time required to complete task
• the difficulty of the task
• the due date
• does it require preparation
• will help from others be required
• will additional materials be needed

Keep working on the list until you have a good feel for the order you have placed each task in. You are prioritizing tasks by putting the most important ones first. This is a skill you will need throughout life, so it's a great time to get started practicing it.

Try making a list of all your tasks and post a comment about how it works for you!

Highlighting help!

Highlighting can be a very useful study tool if used properly! Any highlighter color will work from the traditional yellow to the fancier pinks and greens. Don't spend too much time worry about what color to pick. Spend more time deciding what to highlight. Knowing what to highlight can come from:

• the items listed on a study guide
• hints from the teacher about specific pieces of information being important
• bold titles in your reading
• information that has been discussed and reviewed more than one time
• any information that you feel is a main point or of high importance

Try to only highlight the main points so when you are trying to recall the information later it will be easier to visualize in your mind. If you highlight the whole page, it will harder to remember the main point. You may attempt to highlight during note taking or reading, but it will be more effective if you review later and highlight at that time. Doing this at a later time, will allow you to more organized and really think through what should be highlighted. These highlighted areas can then be used as a review or to make your own flashcards.(see post from December 1, 2007).

Try these highlighting tips and post a comment about how they work for you!

Create your own flashcards!

Creating your own flash cards can be a very effective study skill. Although there are many flash cards that you can purchase, making your own will likely pay off in the end. When you are creating your own flash cards you are doing three things. The first is reviewing the information you are studying. The second is putting the information in your own words, which will allow you to gain a deeper understanding. The last thing you are doing by creating your own flash cards is deciding what things you feel are the most important and focusing on them. You can use index cards or paper to make the flashcards. Write a word, a statement or a question on one side and the matching information or answer on the other side. Then look at one side of the card and try to recall the information on the other side. Quizzing yourself with flashcards can be done on the bus, in the car, sitting in your room or waiting for your next class to begin. Flash cards can also be reviewed with study partners as you prepare for your next test.

Try making your own flash cards and post a comment about how it worked for you!