Students' Successful Journey Of Conquering Test Anxiety

By Ella Quinn

Participation in class, completion of homework, studying hard - you might have done all these, yet when the big day of your most anticipated test came, things turned against the way you expected them. You are almost sure that you have pretty much accomplished everything possible to pass this test but how come you forgot every single item you have studied? You are quite certain that you know the answers to the questions on the test. However, you can't seem to remember anything during the test.

What Are Bad Anxiety Habits?Most people only think of bad habits as having to do only with small actions that we either do or don't do. Not brushing our teeth daily etc... Mental habits however are the thoughts that we continue to focus on over time. Just like a physical muscle, our brain is also plastic and malleable. Our habitual neuron signals are like sleds that follow the exact same snow tracks over and over. Pretty soon those sleds cling naturally to the same pathway, coasting fast with difficulty taking changing route.

Bad Habit #1 indulging in what if thinking.what if thinking consists of thoughts like "What if I don't pass the exam?.. What if I can't study well today?..What if I get a lot of questions wrong etc." Sometimes these thoughts are mostly subconscious.To cure this problem and avoid "negative what if thinking," begin to talk to yourself inside your head and coach yourself using "positive what if thinking". Ask yourself, "What if I was able to study well today? What if I found a way to work hard? What if I got my act together despite my stress?."Then speak to yourself and say "I can do this!.. I will do this!.. I am doing this!" This starts the "turn around!" The power of this talk cannot be underestimated!

Bad Habit #2 Mind Bouncing.This means you're focusing on multiple things instead of staying focused on one thing for a single period of time. Bouncing around to different subject matter happens when you are panicking. It's like an increase of ADHD juice overwhelms you.To cure this tendency, you have to stop looking at the outcome as a whole. Section off your test in portions. Realize success comes from laying one brick at a time, even in tight scenarios. If you have a lot of study material, commit 20 minutes to one single section. After that session is over, reward yourself for not focusing elsewhere. Breaking material down is the key to cure mind bouncing!

Overcoming Test Anxiety.The upsetting results and effects of test anxiety are very much affecting and destroying the lives of those who suffer from it. Do not let such fear rule over you, instead take courage and trust in yourself that you will be a great conqueror. To help you in your battle over this anxiety, here are some tips especially for you.

Preparation Makes Test Anxiety Go Away.Coming to class every day is not enough for you to learn and perform well in tests. Beyond attending your class is the preparation perfected through developing suitable study habits. Cramming is never a good idea and always has negative as well as disappointing results. Regular study reduces test anxiety. As you study daily, you will have a better grasp of your lessons, making you more confident when the test comes.

In layman's terms, here is what happens when we are in a state of fear. The fear causes the amygdala in your brain to send out the message that it is fight or flight time! Cortisol, a stress hormone, gets released in your body, digestion is disrupted, and your heart rate increases to deliver more blood to the muscles in preparation for fight or flight. Finally, and most importantly, the functioning of the prefrontal cortex is disrupted. The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain responsible for, among other things, decision-making and problem-solving. It is vital to test taking yet superfluous during flight or flight. Your subconscious mind which is in charge of this intricate system of survival does not know whether it is an actual or perceived threat. It just knows you fear and it responds accordingly. Overcoming anxiety is an important factor for doing well on the test.

Take a mock driver's test: Taking the test BEFORE you take the test is great way to get over your fear of it. And you can take the practice test as many times as you want.Give yourself positive feedback: Tell yourself things like, "You can do this. You're going to do great." It may feel corny, but affirming self-talk actually makes it more likely you'll succeed. Remember to be nice to yourself.

Assume that you'll be successful: How many millions of people have passed the driving test? Right. The odds are in your favour. You still need to prepare, but if Joe Schmoe can take the test and pass, so can you. Picture yourself passing. Do it several times before the test starts.

Can the subconscious mind be reached? Fortunately in the last 20 years there are new stress reduction techniques that can be highly effective with many issues including test anxiety. They are easily learned, have the ability to access the subconscious mind, and have been scientifically proven to be effective. Once learned the individual has a stress reduction tool he or she can use to self manage stress wherever it may appear in life.

Schedule it for first thing: Try to schedule your driving test first thing in the morning. That way you won't be dreading it all day. If you can't take it in the morning, stay busy with other things before the test to get your mind off it. Don't let yourself obsess.It's OK if you fail: Imagine, what's the worst that could happen if you do fail? You'd have to take it again, but with one real test under your belt as practice. Try to look at failure as an opportunity instead of a disaster. An earthquake is a disaster. Failing your driving test is an annoyance.Use the tips above and you will pass your driver's test with a minimum of driving test anxiety. Giving yourself adequate preparation time is the most crucial. Everything else is really just to help you relax. So prepare, relax, and you'll do great. You've got everything it takes. Just go in there and do it!

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Social Anxiety Disorder Symptoms - Want To Have More Self Esteem

By Chung Chu

Anxiety can effect us in many ways, some people can have subtle forms of anxiety that they can deal with on a day-to-day basis, these are general fears such as a fear of spiders or getting embarrassed from time to time, which is normal in everyday life. These types of anxieties go unnoticed. At the other end of the spectrum you can have anxiety of panic attacks attacks, they can still be from the same reasons above however the reaction is a lot more extreme. There's also everything in between, like being anxious in social situations, like parties or going shopping, going red, chest pains, muscle tension, constant worrying.

Social anxiety disorder symptoms are things that sufferers describe when they are describing their social anxiety. They can be broadly divided into anxious thoughts, anxious behaviours, and anxious feelings. Anxious thoughts can include over thinking certain situations. For example, someone can think that everyone is staring at them, or everyone is laughing at them, or that they are making a fool of themselves, whereas from an outside perspective, everything is normal. So someone suffering from social anxiety could be unwilling to go into a crowded meeting because they feel that everyone would be staring at them, as opposed to the main speaker, which of course is completely illogical.

Anxious behaviours can include avoidance - for example, simply avoiding social situations, or being excessively late, or making excuses to leave. They can also involve using mobile phones to avoid talking to others or making them uncomfortable. Their behaviour is centred on avoiding or escaping a situation that has made them uncomfortable and promoted anxiety. These responses and behaviours are essentially learned responses that enable reduction of anxiety. A sufferer from social anxiety may also excessively groom themselves or spend too long preparing for social situations - again a method to help them reduce their anxiety.

Sufferers also describe anxious sensations in their body when they are thinking or experiencing social situations. They may find that they get sweaty and clammy. They may feel their heart beating quickly or thumping. Their breathing may increase, and they may feel light headed and faint. They may suffer from a dry mouth and stammer or stutter.All these social anxiety disorder symptoms have been experienced by everyone to some degree at one point in their lives. In certain situations it is totally normal - there are not many people who would not exhibit some of symptoms if they were to stand up and speak to one thousand people for example. However, when these symptoms are triggered in everyday life, then it can be a significant problem.

We all have anxious moments that plague our lives and definitely know what anxiety feels like. Even an exam or an interview makes our heart beat faster. Jittery feelings and butterfly stomachs, we've experienced it all. However, if you find worries and fears overtaking your life and preventing you from being at peace, you may be experiencing the first anxiety disorder symptoms. Today, especially with current lifestyles, anxiety disorders or panic attacks are on the increase.

Normal anxiety is beneficial in an odd sort of way to complete tasks successfully and to respond to threats in a helpful way. Chronic, excessive and exaggerated worry without any valid causes for worry is called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD for short).When a person is constantly worried, nervous, anxious and uneasy for six months or more, he is said to suffer from this condition. GAD can affect a person physically, socially and occupationally. To avoid all the adverse effects of GAD, it must be diagnosed in the early stages. You should know the symptoms to help you make the right diagnosis.What are the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder?It is important to note that everyone experiencing GAD does not have the same symptoms. The symptoms may vary from one person to another depending upon the cause and the severity of the disorder. However, there are some common symptoms of GAD. They are as follows:

Persistent worry that interferes in your normal day to day life. This is one of the most common symptoms of GAD.If you worry about a wide variety of things in life like money, kids, work, food, travel and everything else for an abnormally longer period of time, you may be suffering from GAD. If your anxiety is uncontrollable in spite of the anxiety reduction techniques you try, it can be a symptom of GAD.Other generalized anxiety disorder symptoms can be classified into three categories. They are physical, emotional and behavioural symptoms.

What are the physical symptoms of GAD?Tightened, strained and tense muscles are one of the physical symptoms. When your muscles are stressed, you may feel persistent muscular pain.The next physical symptom is fatigue. If you have GAD, you feel exhausted and tired almost always.Insomnia - Most of the people who suffer from GAD have sleeping problems. They have difficulty in falling asleep and in staying asleep. Lack of sleep aggravates the anxiety problem.Stomach problems like nausea, abdominal pain and cramps and digestive problems are symptoms of anxiety.Light-headedness and headaches are common physical symptoms of GAD.Other physical symptoms include frequent urination, hot flashes, sweating, trembling, and trouble in swallowing and increase in the heartbeat.What are the behavioural symptoms of GAD?Difficulty in concentrating is the first and foremost behavioural symptom.

These symptoms must be noted and treatment should be sought immediately. Sweating, trembling, blushing, and the tensing the muscles are some of the common symptoms. Most sufferers will find it difficult to interact in situations where there is a great degree of public attention on them.

Lack of self-confidence and looking upon others to get approval for everything that they do.Thinking constantly about something that makes you anxious in spite of trying to avoid thinking about it.Feeling that all your worries are out of your control and that you can do nothing about them.Feeling uncertain about the future.As you can see, generalized anxiety disorder symptoms vary a great deal and often confused with other conditions. This is why correct medical attention is sought and you do not try to self-diagnose.There are various therapies, medications and techniques to treat generalized anxiety disorder. If you notice a few symptoms mentioned above, then you should seek medical help before the condition worsens. Early diagnosis and early treatment is essential to get rid of GAD.

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