| The mere mention of a "test" seems to be a | | | | imagery it really feels like water is |
| four-letter word to the mind of many | | | | dripping from your fingertips! Pretty cool, |
| students. Not only do they become anxious, | | | | huh! Taking Your Time Do not rush through the |
| but also there are a few changes in their | | | | test, take your time and allow your mind the |
| behavior on an involuntary basis. Remember | | | | ability to catch up. If you are in a hurry or |
| the high school teacher that would proudly | | | | so nervous that you are half way reading the |
| walk in and announce a daily "pop quiz". It | | | | questions you will most likely read it wrong. |
| is almost like the world stood still, the | | | | Reading a small part of the question or |
| sound echoed and slowed to half the normal | | | | answer can prove a red mark across your test. |
| speed. Almost like a warp zone. That is | | | | Hurrying through anything will cause you to |
| because test taking illicit's fear in the | | | | make mistakes and unfortunately have caused |
| human species. They are terribly afraid of | | | | many students to fail a class. Most |
| failure or looking dumb, so they work | | | | professors give you ample time to complete |
| themselves in to a panic attack without even | | | | the test and do not worry as if you are |
| realizing what is happening. There are ways | | | | diligently working and the time is up, most |
| to calm your mind and body when you are about | | | | will give you time to complete the entire |
| to take a test. Following the below listed | | | | test. Test anxiety has become a hot topic in |
| tips can give you a successful strategy for | | | | the last twenty years as some very famous |
| passing that test! Study Guide To The Rescue | | | | individuals have suffered. The Old 1-2-3 That |
| If you have a chance to purchase a study | | | | Mom Always Preached The older that we get the |
| guide, do not let your shirt tale hit your | | | | less "dumb and out dated" that mom really |
| bottom before you do so. No matter how much | | | | becomes. You know in younger years all of |
| it cost it is the key to the test. When | | | | those test tips that mom gave always went in |
| someone has built a study guide, they have | | | | one ear and out the other. Now we find |
| reviewed the material backwards and forwards | | | | ourselves struggling to remember them, |
| in order to determine what material is the | | | | because we are anxious about an upcoming |
| most important. The study guide does most of | | | | test. Here they are again: * Go to bed at a |
| the work for you, because it is like having | | | | decent time - one of the leading indicators |
| your own personal researcher that did the | | | | of poor grades is sleep deprivation. Did you |
| footwork for you! If you have trouble in | | | | know that sleep deprivation can cause you to |
| affording the reference material, make sure | | | | be sick, miss an important pass or hit in |
| that you ask mom and dad or get a group in | | | | sports, and even lead to accidents? * No |
| the class together allowing everyone to split | | | | empty stomachs - Making sure that you have |
| the cost. Psychological Helpers There are a | | | | had something to eat before a test can |
| few tips and tricks that counselors want to | | | | actually calm your nerves. One of the |
| charge you for sharing. Here they are so use | | | | reactions of the body to stress and anxiety |
| them and enjoy this free gift to you! If you | | | | is the release of acids that can upset one's |
| are nervous, and most people are with a test, | | | | stomach. Have something of substance in your |
| you can use mental imagery to calm your body. | | | | stomach to soak up the nervous juices! * Be |
| When you are sitting in your chair take you | | | | prepared - Do not wait until the night before |
| index and ring finger and hold them together | | | | the exam to try and cram the information. |
| at the very tip of the fingers. Now close | | | | Chances are that you will not do yourself any |
| your eyes and take a deep breath, hold it a | | | | good and will only frustrate yourself. You do |
| few seconds, now slowly release it. Practice | | | | not need any more frustration so prepare |
| this as we go through! Do these three times | | | | ahead of time. Remember look for a study |
| all while keeping your fingers together. Now | | | | guide! * Clear your mind - Do not worry with |
| imagine that the stress, tension and anxiety | | | | the electric bill, neighbors barking dog, or |
| are draining from the top of your head to the | | | | how to ask him/her out on a date when you are |
| very tips of your fingers that is holding it | | | | about to take a test. Remember to use your |
| in your body. As the anxiety, fear and stress | | | | newfound mental imagery to clear your mind |
| moves down your arm slowly release your | | | | and take your test in the Caribbean! Hey the |
| fingers allowing the anxiety to drain from | | | | mind is a wonderful and miraculous tool. |
| your body. If you really concentrate and use | | | | |