This sounds like some really big exam. (I mean it sounds bigger than just an exam.) Is it an SAT or something career-oriented? I never got anxious studying in college. I would get anxious if a test was coming up and I was having a difficult time understanding something or behind in homework or reading. Then I would have to cram and really get down to the nitty-gritty details. I had some semesters where I had lots of difficulties taking tests because I was having emotional problems and was easily distracted and the class sizes were large with people coughing, turning pages, dropping books and I would totally lose my train-of-thought. I also played guitar a lot when I was younger like you.