I have test anxiety

Test anxiety can cause you not to be able to perform to the best of your ability on exams, whether it be that you feel your mind goes blank, that you can't find the words to convey what you mean, or that you feel so physically or psychologically uncomfortable you can't concentrate on the test. Below are several options of resources on campus that can help you overcome test anxiety.

Office of Counseling Services

The Office of Counseling Services is a free and confidential resource for students located in the Freeman Center. They can help students dealing with a variety of stressors, including helping you to identify the roots of test anxiety. They are available for appointments during business hours M-F, and available 24/7 in the case of an emergency. It's easy to set up an appointment to meet with a counselor-- just call 757-594-7047 or even walk in and they will ask everything they need to know to get you connected to help. You can learn more about the Office of Counseling Services here.

Center for Academic Success

The Center for Academic Success is also a free resource for students, and is located in Christopher Newport Hall. They can also help you develop a plan to manage test anxiety. They are available for appointments during business hours M-F. Just call 757-594-7684 or walk in and they will set up an appointment for you. You can learn more about the Center for Academic Success here.

You might be eligible for a testing accommodation

Sometimes students don't realize they could be eligible for accommodations to lessen the impact of test anxiety and other academic struggles. Examples of accommodations for students may include, among others, extra time on tests, or testing in a distraction-reduced environment, To determine if you may be eligible for accommodations, contact our Disability Support Specialist, currently Jacquelyn Barnes. You can email here or call 757-594-8852 to set up an appointment. While you may not think of test anxiety as a disability, academic accommodations for test anxiety are supported by the office of disability support. Ms. Barnes can provide you with information about how to file for official accommodations, as well as help you develop a plan to manage test anxiety until those accommodations are in place.