The night before a test can lead to many students stressing out about everything that will be on the exam. Test anxiety is something that leads to many students getting anxious, nervous, exhausted, and tired. So what exactly is test anxiety?
Test anxiety is a learned response to a stressful situation, test taking in this case. The beauty of test anxiety being a learned reaction is that it can be unlearned and replaced with a more effective response. However, it does take practice.
The approach to overcoming test anxiety is a combination of muscle relaxation and positive imagery. Identifying at what point a student feels anxious and then creating a progressive desensitization program together with relaxation techniques is the best design to overcome the anxiety.
It generally takes two weeks of daily practice to teach the brain a new response to the test taking stimulus. Test anxiety can be overcome with practice, so take the steps to help you out with this anxiety. So you ask, how can I get help?
Sharon Disher, an academic tutor in the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash (UCBA), Writing Lab, has developed the workshop Don’t Sweat the Test to guide students through the program. Students who suspect they suffer from test anxiety should contact Mrs. Disher right away to get their anxiety under control before exam week (allowing for two weeks of practice).
Students can schedule an appointment with Sharon Disher or see her workshop schedule on Star Fish. Her office is in the Writing Lab, Muntz Hall 112.
Students should definitely connect with Sharon Disher to learn how they can be more successful in taking tests. One caveat though, test anxiety is not to be confused with insufficient test preparation. Techniques to overcome test anxiety will not correct for lack of preparation.
College is filled with weeks upon weeks of tests, exams, homework, and stress. Take the time you need to let the stress go away. Know when too much is too much! You will better your study skills as well as seeing your grades go up.
So please, attend one of Mrs. Disher’s workshops on how to get through a test without all the anxiety that comes with it!