Do you have difficulty concentrating or sleeping? Do you keep avoiding your duties and comparing yourself to others? Does feeling hopeless or inadequate right before taking a test ring a bell to you?
There is no doubt test anxiety may affect everyone, as long as this nervousness and feeling of worry do not interfere with your success and positive mood. There are numerous strategies that can help you do better on test day and overcome your anxiety whether you are a student or an employee who has to take tests to get certified.
- The earlier you study, the better it is
Instead of feeling underprepared, set yourself up for a successful test by organizing your homework, planning your available time and revising notes in advance. Start studying as early as possible. This way, you are aware of what to expect, ending up with less anxiety or worry.
- Use relaxation techniques
Staying calm and positive is adjacent to deep breathing, closing your eyes and focusing on the bright side. Try out relaxation techniques, such as breathing out slowly and counting to ten. You could inhale through the nose and repeat whenever you feel so. You may repeat this process as many times as you need so as to calm down and overcome your anxiety.
- Focus on your own work
Making progress on your own terms is what matters the most. Try not to compare yourself to others, as you may need to spend more time on a question in relation to your classmates. What is for sure is you are doing the best you can!
- Prioritize yourself
Make sure you find adequate time in order to cover your basic needs, such as hanging out with your friends, taking breaks or taking care of your mental health. You can actually avoid being burnt out when it comes to sitting for your exams, in case you schedule times to study or spend quality time with friends and family.
- Be on time
Instead of leaving at your usual time for your exam day, why don’t you arrive earlier to have plenty of time to spare? This way, you may review your notes or settle your mind before the exam starts. Familiarizing yourself with the place and people may prove to be handy!
- Have a talk with your teacher
Let your teacher know how anxious you are, thus, you can get all the advice you may need. Possible suggestions can always help, even though they may seem impersonal at first. Make it happen and always count on a teacher’s alternative perspective. You can be taught valuable study skills that will serve you for years to come.
- Get as much sleep as you can
It is a fact that adequate sleep is closely related to getting good marks or doing well in your exams. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep on a regular basis. Besides, a lack of sleep may interfere with recalling information on exam day, thus, end up in developing more anxiety.
- Once the exam is over, allow yourself to feel free.
Whenever you are out of control, remember you have done your best. When the exam is over, breathe a sigh of relief and realize that the outcome is in your instructor’s hands.
- Use the resources offered
While organizing your studying and managing your time, make good use of all the resources you can get. Tutoring services, additional material for extra practice, as well as workshops may offer the necessary information, right before an exam. Learning test-taking tips as well as studying effective methods makes your studying more efficient.
- Professional counselling is a possible solution
Our sense of worry and anxiety may become worse on exam day, that is why allowing yourself to get professional help may become a life-saving tip. Working through feelings and thoughts may offer you skills to stay organized and positive, so as to do your best on the day of the exams.
- Positive thinking
Never should you underestimate the power of visualizing a positive outcome, which may become motivational in case you feel a bit anxious. It is possible for someone not to be able to overcome their anxiety on test day, however, staying positive may reduce your fear of failure as well as boost your concentration during exams.
- Eat a healthy breakfast
There is no doubt that minimizing the feeling of anxiety on exam day can be achieved by eating a breakfast packed with fresh fruit, vegetables and protein. This may contribute to dealing with the stress and depression, right before an exam.
All in all, taking advantage of your daily routine and practice, in relation to boosting efficiency and motivation can actually help you reduce your anxiety on the test day. Have you ever considered rewarding yourself by planning to watch a movie or eating out with friends, once you complete the exam? Try out all these possible and effective solutions and never give up on yourself!
