Understanding Anxiety
What is test anxiety?
Feeling nervous, worried, or stressed about a test
Replace this thought: "I'm going to fail."
"I can try my best"
"I studied and will do okay"
Name one healthy coping strategy
Breathing, taking a break, fidget
What should you do if you don't know an answer?
You walk into class and forgot about a test, what can you do?
Talk to the teacher to see if you can take the test on a different day, try your best, review notes quickly
True or False: Is it normal to feel anxiety before a test?
True!!!!!!!!!
What is positive self-talk?
Saying encouraging things to yourself
How can movement help anxiety?
Releases stress, helps body calm down, resets
Why is it important to read directions carefully?
To avoid mistakes
You see a hard question first, what should you do?
Skip it and move on, come back to it if you have time
Does feeling anxious mean you will do badly on a test?
No, anxiety is normal before a test
True or False: One bad test defines your intelligence
False
What is one thing you can do the night before a big test?
Go to sleep at a reasonable hour, prepare materials, eat a healthy meal
What should you do before you turn in your test?
Check your work, make sure you answered every question
Everyone else finishes the test before you and you start to feel nervous. What should you do?
Focus on your own test, take your time, don't rush, don't compare yourself to others (everyone works at their own pace)
Name one physical sign of anxiety
Give an example of a helpful thought before a test
"I've prepared"
"I can handle this"
What is one thing you can tell yourself to try to calm down during a test?
"I can do this" "Just try my best" "It's okay if I don't do as well as I wanted"
What should you do if your mind "goes blank"?
Pause, breathe, come back to it
You start to lose focus during the test, what can you do?
Ask to get a sip of water or go to the bathroom, take a brain break, etc.
Why do a lot of students feel anxious before tests?
Because they care about doing well
What should you do when you notice a negative thought is stuck in your mind?
Challenge it and replace it
Talk about it with a trusted adult
Name a strategy you can use DURING a test if anxious
Deep breathing, pause, skip a question and go back, positive self-talk, take a break
What should you do if you do not understand what a question is asking you?
raise your hand, ask for clarification
You didn't do as well as expected on a test. What is a healthy response?
Learn from it, don't give up, tell yourself you will do better next time