1. BONUS: OVERCOMING TEST ANXIETY
Test anxiety is the worst enemy of college students, it’s normal to have anxiety
before and after the test. I have always fear of failing before arriving to take the test I got
so nervous that I try to recall all the information and every piece of the material that I
haven’t understood. Feeling tension as exam is being passed out so I try to remember
everything I’ve studied, increased heart rate (obviously because of the fear of failing)
and frustrated with my grade on the exam because I know I was well prepared I got so
nervous that I try to remember every question of the test so I can check the answers
after I take the test. But I think the person who doesn’t care about the tests would never
be anxious. This Tuesday I took my reading midterm which is 10% of my entire grade;
Professor Smith gave us 6 chapters to study. Every chapter was long and with many
definitions. So I schedule my time wisely at the time of the test I was really nervous I
forgot everything, when I answer the questions I was really insecure and worry to
passed. Yesterday the professor gave me the grade I got 93% for me that’s not good
enough because I try my best but that’s what only matters. I face my fears having
confidence in myself always reminded me “I CAN DO THIS” “I AM GOING TO GET A
GOOD GRADE”. Distraction is not a problem for me because when I have a test,
homework or project I concentrate 100% I forget about the world and I prioritize the path
for my future. The tips I would follow from now and on are the following: I would avoid
last minute studying, replace negative thought and reward myself when I get the grade.
Cognition I will follow: schedule time for the test, asking me questions about the test,
read the book, do the lab, review practice questions, review the main idea, get a good
seat and pace myself and recall the material. Emotional I will follow: positive attitude, do
something to relax and stop defeatist my self-steam, practice relaxation techniques,
keep a positive attitude, relax, take a deep breath and say to you “I am calm and
confident”. Physical I will follow: get plenty of sleep, clear my mind, wake up early, and
eat breakfast. Test anxiety is our major roadblock for our career but not the block for our
future. Learn from test mistakes, talk to your instructor about your mistakes, rethink the
way you studied avoid repeating errors. First go over the easy questions then work on
the more difficult ones, working on the easy questions you can remember the answers
for the difficult ones. Make sure to read the directions, tackle the matches you are not
sure of. SO DON’T LET ANXIETY TAKE CONTROL OVER YOUR LIFE.