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