Imagine this: you’ve reviewed extensively for a big test coming up. You’ve covered all the bases accordingly. Despite that, you’re feeling very nervous. Word of advice: it’s normal for anyone to be anxious when something important is coming up. 

Whether taking a big midterm exam or going into entrepreneurial ventures, it’s okay to experience sweaty palms and worry a little. However, you shouldn’t let the nerves get to you. 

There are various ways you can explore how to overcome test anxiety and here are the best ones that we think will help!

Preaching practices

Here are some strategies you can try to calm you down before a big exam.

Study early and in similar places

When you have a crucial test coming up, you shouldn’t cram and try to remember so many things at once. You might end up forgetting pertinent details and performing poorly during the exam. 

Instead, you should study a little bit over time. You will retain information better when you review items in small batches rather than overwhelming your brain. Also, you should consider studying in the same or a similar place that resembles where you’re taking your exam. This can help you recall the information you need during test time. 

Get a good night’s sleep

Pulling an all-nighter as a student worker before a big exam can exacerbate your nerves. People with poor sleeping patterns tend to be easily distressed. You shouldn’t cram the night before the exam because you might end up lethargic and sleepy during the exam. 

Getting quality sleep is essential in how to overcome test anxiety. Quality sleep is linked to improved memory and better cognitive function, which are necessary for exams. Aim to get seven to nine hours of sleep regularly to lower your anxiety levels. This helpful tip will help you have a calmer disposition during exam season and beyond. 

Learn relaxation techniques

This tip isn’t just helpful on how to overcome test anxiety, but it helps you deal with stress in general. You should learn relaxation techniques to help you stay calm and confident before and during an exam. 

Deep breathing can help calm you down, especially if you’re a busy part-time worker. Inhale for a count of 2 to 4 seconds, and exhale for 4 to 6 seconds. Make sure you exhale longer than you inhale. You can also try closing your eyes and thinking of something positive. In this case, believe that you will have a high score and be happy about it. 

Eat and drink well

Eat a nutritious breakfast before the test and pack smart snacks for high energy. You should avoid junk food and food with high sugar levels that may affect your performance during the exam. Simultaneously, you shouldn’t skip a meal before taking a big exam.

Food rich in zinc, like beef and egg yolks, has been linked to lowered anxiety levels. Bananas can also keep anxiety symptoms at bay. You should consider incorporating this how-to-overcome anxiety tip into your routine. You will have a better overall performance when you’re nourished well. 

Read carefully

Nothing will mess up your test performance more than answering many questions and realizing you didn’t follow the instructions properly. You shouldn’t let your hard work go to waste because of one mistake. 

Before answering the exam, you should read the instructions thoroughly and the answers accordingly. Slowing down before you take the exam can help you answer all the questions with confidence. Moreover, you’re assured that you won’t forget any pertinent details during the exam. 

Surround yourself with an amazing environment

To overcome anxiety, you should surround yourself with a community of supportive learners. We at CIIT Philippines offer a supportive community and the best college courses in the Philippines through student organizations and school-led activities to foster a balanced student life. From sports weeks to celebrations of diversity through games, movie marathons, and cosplay events your school year will be full of things you can try out and experience outside of studying. On top of that, whether you want to pursue entrepreneurship in the Philippines or the arts, we can help you launch a promising career in your chosen industry. 

We believe that quality education should be accessible to all. To help more learners access our CIIT programs, we offer various scholarship programs. These programs include the Interweave Scholarship Program, Future CIITizen Scholarship Grant, and CIIT Financial Aid Program. Moreover, we provide a seamless application process in CIIT Online Admission System (COAST). Explore our website to learn about our various course offerings.