Dealing with Test Anxiety

How do tests make you feel ?

Excited & Enthusiastic ?

Or Anxious & FREAKED OUT?

Well, it’s actually NORMAL to feel some amount of anxiety

when faced with a test.

A healthy amount of nervous energy actually helps us perform

better.

BUT….

If your anxiety is so great that if affects your test taking

ability, you need to learn a few strategies to help you

deal with it.

Strategy One

Use positive “self-talk” to push stressful thoughts away.

I can do this!

Strategy Two

Take slow, deep, calming breaths

to help you relax.

The extra oxygen helps me think

better, too!

Strategy Three

Visualize.

Your mind is so powerful that just by thinking about, and picturing in your mind

a calm place, you can actually reduce your stress and anxiety.

Strategy Four

Utilize the test taking strategies that we have learned in our earlier

“test tips” lessons if you get stuck or “draw a blank”.

First, I’ll eliminate the answer choices that I know can’t be right …

Strategy Five

Always try to do your best. You’ll feel less panic because you know that you are truly “showing

what you know”.

Strategy Six

You’ll feel less stressed if you plan ahead how you will use your time.

Don’t worry about the kids who finish before you do. Take the time that you

need to do your best work.

So, what other things can I do to help me feel ready

for a test?

T ’Was the Night Before the Test…

Get plenty of rest! Turn off your television, radio, Mp3 player, cell phone, computer, hand held game, etc… ( but not your alarm clock) so they won’t keep you from the rest that your body and brain needs.

Eat a healthy breakfast at home or when you get to school!

Healthy foods and drinks provide your body with the fuel it needs to function!

Okay, so what now?When you take your next

quiz or test, try out some of the strategies shared today.

It’s true what they say about “practice makes perfect”…

The more you practice controlling your test anxiety, the better you’ll get!

Wrapping it Up ~

Option A: Think about how you can

use any of the strategies shared today. Which seems as if it would work for you the best? Explain.

Option B: Think about and

share one stress reducing strategy or activity that you may already use to calm your nerves as a result of anything (even if it is not school related) that stresses you out.

Read both of the options below. Choose one. Read it again, think about your response, and answer.