[Selost]

Has anyone here had any luck calming test anxiety? I have a really, really difficult time with it, to the point of getting physically ill sometimes, and taking deep breaths doesn't seem to do it for me. Thanks in advance

[gayleggg]

I have bad test anxiety, too. I haven't found any remedies yet. Sorry I can't really help, but just wanted to let you know you are not alone.

[Fresia]

It can be really bad and though the deep breathing helps, it is not always enough. Especially for the moments right before the test while waiting to start, it helps to distract with something, such as reading a novel, magazine, or playing a game.

[dandylin]

The only thing I found that works is actually starting the test. I had one the other day and just about crawled out of my skin before I started it.

[sonnenschein]

The only thing that has helped (for me) is talking to my tp about why tests freak me out so much. I used to base my self-esteem on my test scores, which was pretty much a recipe for disaster. Now, I still feel jittery but less panicky. For me, listening to music helps- I get to the testing center early, then hole up somewhere with my headphones and listen to music that reminds me of good times in my life until right before the test to get through the time before it.

[June55]

I get anxious if I am reading something and others finish before me. Doesn't matter if they are quiet. I know they are done and I'm not.

And then there is the time pressure. Even though I have enough time, but because it is there sometimes adds to it.

And the need to get a perfect mark...

I remember being nervous doing my learners written test and the person read each question to me as I did the test and that helped.

ah the joys of life.

Talk to the teacher, maybe they can have you do it in another room, in the back of the room - somewhere that you have more space, give you more time, depends on what causes your anxiety.

Finally, you just have to tell yourself "do your best and that's all you can do". (blah blah my best isn't good enough? blah blah... pretend a friend or parent is telling you this, or you are giving this advice to a friend.)

[kqaleel]

Hii , u r are not alone which makes me feel that i am also not alone !! i am a Medical student and have been suffering from this for the past 8 years. i was on tab escitalopram 10mg and is still on. during my final mbbs exam i had the worst ever attack. dont worry , this too will pass. pray to God, he will heal all wounds

[wisedude]

Sounds either like you are under too much pressure overall, or that you are a person that is especially anxiety prone.

Don't know enough to offer you great insite but I will tell you that "worrying" or "fearing" about anxiety magnifies it . Maybe, if you have done your reasonable best, you should feel happy and confident- no matter what the outcome.

I fell out of education early. I could not handle the pressure of intense study, but seriously if your doing your reasonable best to succeed, then you can not be expect to do more than that, and even if you FAIL, well, don't let academic benchmarks define your entire worth. I left school at 13, if I let academic success be my primary concern I would have gone crazy!

[Perna]

I engage with the material as I study it so I enjoy it and then I don't fear the test because the material on the test and I are "friends" just getting together and continuing a conversation. Personalize the material in some way; ask your own questions and find something curious or interesting to you.

[cool09]

I had a really hard time at a large University where you were elbow to elbow with over 125 people in the room who were coughing, turning pages, dropping books, etc. And it would all sound amplified if I was anxious, racing thoughts, moody, etc. I would loose my train of thought and have to start problems over. I got two D's and two F's that semester. Took a leave of absence the next semester. I don't have any suggestions for you. (I should have worn ear plugs come to think of it.)

[Lillyleaf]

Sometimes you can ask to be in a room alone, or outside in the hall where you can't tell if people are done or not. Also, in my ASL class we used the word "learning opportunity" instead of test It helped her pretend that it wasn't for a grade.