It’s that time of year when thoughts turn to beginning a new school year and thinking about how things may go. As a student, you may already be experiencing some anxiety about taking tests. Take these last few weeks to master these 4 strategies to overcome text anxiety!

Plan Your Time

You have a lot of material to study in a short amount of time, and that could make anyone anxious. How are you going to remember it all? The best course of action here is to make and keep a study plan. List out the tasks you need to accomplish and then break them into smaller, more manageable sub-tasks. This will keep you from feeling overwhelmed, and will keep you on task and focused on the material you need to know.

Change Your Perspective

Sometimes a change in perspective is all we need. See the test as your friend instead of your enemy. Embrace it and you’ll notice that the stress you usually experience may be a thing of the past. Stop all negative self-talk and focus on what needs to be done.

Be Mindful

It’s important to take time to regroup and collect your thoughts throughout the day. Being mindful of right here, right now is a great way to decrease your stress and anxiety. If the test you’re studying for is in a week, your mind may be flooded with thoughts on how you’re going to pass, when to study, how you’re going to retain the information you’ve learned, and so on. The practice of mindfulness doesn’t take that away; it just brings your thoughts and focus back to the present.

Cover the Basics

The basics consist of taking care of your basic needs; diet, sleep, and exercise. Eating a balanced diet will keep your body fueled with the nutrition it needs to stay focused and ready for anything that comes your way. Getting enough sleep is also essential as it calms your mind and body, which decreases stress and anxiety. Lastly, exercise gives you more energy and decreases stress.

Education can be stressful for a number of reasons, but taking tests no longer has to be. Follow these 4 strategies to conquer test anxiety once and for all! For more information on conquering anxiety or to schedule an appointment, please contact our office today.

To getting you back to your best self,
Lori Calabrese, MD