Mid-terms, state testing, final exams, and more can cause a lot of stress. It's normal to feel some anxiety when a test is looming over your head. However, when that stress becomes debilitating or affects your performance, you might have test anxiety.
If you experience test anxiety and find your grades slipping as a result, you're not alone. A lot of people struggle with performance anxiety when it comes to exams. This blog explains what the symptoms of test anxiety are and provides 8 easy tips you can do yourself to conquer those feelings.
What Are the Symptoms of Test Anxiety?
Symptoms of test anxiety can be physical, emotional, or behavioral, and they can include sweating, rapid heartbeat, depression or anger, and fidgeting.
Physical symptoms happen because your body releases adrenaline when you're stressed. Your body thinks you're in danger and forces you into fight or flight mode. You might start sweating, shaking, or fast breathing. Feelings of nausea and a rapid heartbeat are also symptoms to look out for.
Emotional symptoms can manifest before or after you take a test. You might feel depressed or angry when you leave an exam. Telling yourself you're not good enough or that you're going to do poorly on the exam can be a result of test anxiety.
Behavioral symptoms might include fidgeting, not showing up to the exam at all, or forgetting everything you studied.
It might not be obvious that the unsettling feelings you have when you get ready to take a test are more than your run-of-the-mill nervousness. When test anxiety starts to affect your life and your health, it's time learn what you can do to work through it.
Who is Most Likely to Experience Test Anxiety?
Anyone can experience test anxiety. However, there are certain groups of people that are more susceptible.
People that already have generalized anxiety are likely to see that bleed into other aspects of their life. Perfectionists and people who fear failure put a lot of pressure on themselves that can cause them to develop test anxiety.
Anyone who sets unreasonably high standards for themselves are also likely to show signs of test anxiety. If you feel like you fit any of those descriptions, pay attention to how you feel when you take a test to see if you exhibit any symptoms of test anxiety.
How Do You Get Over Test Anxiety?
First and foremost, if your test anxiety is starting to affect your daily life, it's important to seek help from a professional to discuss options for managing your symptoms.
In addition to what a professional advises you to do, there are at-home remedies you can try to help you conquer your fear of testing. These 8 accessible tips are easy for you to incorporate into your routine:
- Develop a study method that works for you. Utilize the resources at your school or conduct some research on your own to find a study method that works for you. You can try out a few different things to see what works with your brain. When you feel prepared, you're less likely to experience feelings of anxiety when you go to take a test.
- Start a pre-test routine. This doesn't have to be related to studying or the exam itself. This could be eating the same breakfast, listening to the same playlist, or anything else that puts you in the right headspace to take an exam.
- Employ relaxation techniques. Figure out what makes you feel relaxed and bring those techniques into the exam with you. This could come from a medical professional or could be strategies you've tried on your own. Make sure you're using techniques that don't disturb your fellow test-takers.
- Make connections with faculty. Open and honest communication can go a long way. Let whoever is administering your exam know that you deal with test anxiety and discuss if you need accommodations. Many schools will provide students extra time or quiet environments to take tests.
- Prioritize self-care. Getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and exercising are all important when it comes to managing test anxiety. When you physically feel well, you might think clearer and feel calmer in stressful situations.
- Arrive early. Don't add unnecessary stress into the mix. Give yourself plenty of time to get where the test is taking place. Take time to use the restroom, fill up your water bottle, and pick a good seat before the exam begins.
- Reframe your mindset. Don't let yourself think that you aren't prepared. Reframe your mindset to think that you've done everything you possible can to prepare. Anything else that happens is out of your control.
- Avoid comparisons. Finally, don't compare yourself to others. Everyone prepares for an exam in different ways and has different standards for the outcome of the exam. Focus on your own performance.
There are plenty of other tips and tricks out there to manage test anxiety. Try out different methods and figure out what works best for you!
Fidget Jewelry for Managing Test Anxiety
Fidgeting can actually help with managing anxiety. Wearing fidget jewelry gives you a subtle way to fidget during an exam without disturbing the people around you. Learn more about how fidget jewelry can help with anxiety here.
We recommend these products to remind you to be confident in your abilities and help you keep calm during a test:
| YOU GOT THIS | Lava Stone | Radiant Eye | Luxe Labradorite |
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See How Fidget Jewelry Helps CONQUERing Customers
Don't just take our word for it. Check out these reviews from CONQUERing customers to see how they use fidget jewelry to manage school stress:
| CONQUERing Product |
Customer Testimonial |
| Wave CrossBar™ Element | "I have been so much calmer especially throughout my long trainings for school. I quietly and peacefully click away my stresses!"—Paula, CONQUERing Customer |
| Breathe Fidget Ring | "My youngest couldn't believe how much it helped relax her while in school, before a test."—Jenny, CONQUERing Customer |
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