Stressed for success
Some finds that anxiety interferes with their learning to
an extent that their grades are seriously affected.
The main problem of test anxiety is usually its effect on
thinking ability. It can cause you to blank out or have
racing thoughts that are difficult to control. Research
suggests that little worry is good for students because it keeps them alert and task-oriented. Excessive worry, on the other hand, can be very harmful and unbearable for students as it leads to mental blocks and other problems.
Fortunately, there is a great deal that you can do to keep anxiety from interfering with your performance. First, it is important to know that you don’t have to eliminate it immediately. You just want to reduce anxiety to a manageable level.
Although many students feel some level of anxiety when taking exams, some can cope with the anxiety and bring it down to a manageable level. Rosanna Llenado, president of AHEAD Tutorial and Review Center has some tips to share to graduating students who feel nervous about taking their College Entrance Exams.
Set up a place conducive to learning. A desk and straight-backed chair is usually best. Don’t get too comfortable, a bed is a place to sleep and not to study. Also, have everything you need close at hand. Don’t spend too much time jumping up and down to get your stuff. Minimize distracting noise. Some people need some sound and some like silence. Find what works for you.
Develop an aggressive, yet realistic attitude. Approach the test strongly determined that you will do your best; but also accept the limits of what you know at the moment. Use everything you know to do well; but don’t blame your self for what you don’t know.
Become aware of what you say to your self. Try writing your negative thoughts and then disputing each one with a positive statement. Start to encourage your self as you would a friend. Repeating your positive statements to your self will help program your mind for success instead of for failure.
Try not to compare your self with others.
Aim for as state of relaxed concentration. When you concentrate, you have all your energy focused on your work with none wasted on worry.
When the exam is over, treat yourself. If you do not have any other commitments, maybe you can go see a movie with a friend. If you have other exams to study for, you may have to postpone a larger treat, but maybe a half hour for a coffee with a friend or a quick swim in the pool be the pick up that you need.
You can take control of test anxiety so that your performance on a test reflects your real standing. Tutoring and review classes can also be of a big help. AHEAD can help you through test anxiety. Being the pioneer in conducting review courses that are test-oriented, familiarizing students with the topics, test items, and conditions to be expected in a particular exam. AHEAD is thus far the only review center that publishes a passers list- - proof of its commitment to quality and excellence in the service it provides its students and clients. For inquiries on the review lessons offered by AHEAD, call tel. nos. 426-0034 to 36 or visit them at their branches at Megamall, Robinson’s Galleria, Greenhills or Katipunan
