Test Anxiety

Published

Who has it and how do you handle yours? I have severe test anxiety and it's effecting my grades. I mean vomiting before tests, sweaty palms, upset stomach, and everything I study is out the window. I do have a letter from my doctor letting me take my test in a testing center but the one my college has is a small tiny room where everyone online takes them etc which it just makes it worse. I have to get my anxiety under control! I can't fail! What do you do short of getting my doc to give me meds!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

Why are you ruling out meds?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When does the anxiety start? The night before the test? The morning of? During? If you can catch it before it gets to the point of vomiting etc, that's your best chance to control it so it's important to recognize when it actually begins! A lot of the time mine won't start until actually taking the test, and not because I don't know or didn't study but just that's when so I do some things to prepare but everyone is different so what works for me might not for you. However here's what I do: I listen to classical music in the car on my way to school, I do not quickly run over all my notes unless there is something very specific I need to look up, I don't eat high sugar or drink caffeine before, and I stay away from talking to my classmates right before the test because sometimes that makes me hyper or anxious to hear people if they are saying "I'm so nervous!" or "Wait what do you irrigate an illeostomy! No you do I thought??" etc.

So ok, your triggers might be different than mine. Like caffeine might not bother you at all so it could be trial and error finding it out. That means no fast fixes for your anxiety (unless maybe meds).

You could do some techniques that help though like meditation and deep breathing. It really does work. Take a deep breath in and hold it for 3 seconds. Then let it out slowly through your mouth for 3 seconds and do that 10x, with your eyes closed, during the test if you have to. Who cares if someone sees right it's not their grade.

Good luck, test anxiety is very common!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

[COLOR=#000000]Why are you ruling out meds?[/COLOR]

[COLOR=#000000]I'm not ruling them out I am just trying to find alternatives. [/COLOR]

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Why are you ruling out meds?

I'm not, I'm just seeing what else I can do before I go that route.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion