How Do You Beat Test Anxiety?

All of us have experienced test anxiety at one point or another. Some of us experience it every time we have to take a test. We are hard on ourselves and create negative thoughts that make us even more worried. 

There are many tips that can help us become less nervous about testing. We know we don't have any choice but to do it - we have to persevere, right? We can do hard things!
Here are some things to help you prepare for your next text so that you are less nervous:

Be Test Prepared!

• Get plenty of rest. Make sure you're getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night for a week before your test.

• Eat healthy. Lower your intake of sugar and junk food. Feed your body lots of fruits and vegetables and plenty of WATER! Also, on test day, make sure you eat breakfast.

• Exercise. Just go for a walk. When you are worried about the test do something that requires some energy and focus to make you think of something else.

• Participate in class reviews. These reviews are going to help ease your anxiety because you're getting a quick look again at the material on the test.

• During your test: Breathe. Taking deep breaths helps calm your nervous system. When I get stuck on a question, or I find myself reading it over and over, I stop - close my eyes - take a deep breath and hold it for 4 seconds - then slowly let the air out. I'll repeat it a couple of times!

• During your test: Take breaks. It's okay to just stop for a minute, put your hands on the back of your neck, and bend your head down. Don't rush through things. 

• During your test: Take your time! It's okay to slow down. The test is not going anywhere. The important thing is to keep yourself calm.