New Student Orientation Resource Book
HOW TO
KEEP CALM DURING TESTS
1. PREPARE
WELL IN ADVANCE. Keep up day to day, if you can; but don't
judge yourself harshly if you don't. Avoid last-minute cramming.
Don't go without sleeping the night before (though 4 or 5 hours may
be enough). Stop studying an hour or so before the test and relax
and compose yourself.
2. KNOW
TIME AND PLACE of the test and what you need to bring. Be
on time, neither too early nor too late, with the necessary supplies.
Don't rush.
3. DON'T
TALK ABOUT THE TEST with classmates immediately beforehand
if you know it raises your anxiety level. To do so may nourish group
paranoia.
4. READ
OVER THE TEST AND PLAN YOUR APPROACH. Ascertain point values
per part, time limits for each session, which question you'll start
with, etc.
5. DON'T
HESITATE TO ASK FOR CLARIFICATION from the professor, teaching assistant,
or proctor if you have questions about directions, procedures, etc.,
rather than letting anxiety build up because you aren't sure about
what you are expected to do.
6. DEVELOP
AN AGGRESSIVE, YET REALISTIC ATTITUDE. Approach the test
vigorously determined that you will do your best; but also accept
the limits of what you know at the moment. Use everything you know
to do well; but don't blame yourself for what you don't know.
7. ACTIVITY
REDUCES ANXIETY. If you go blank and can't think of anything
to write, go on to another question or another part of the test.
On an essay, jot down anything you can recall on scratch paper to
stimulate your memory and get your mind working.
8. RELAX
YOURSELF PHYSICALLY during the test if you notice that you
are not thinking well or are tight. Pause, lay your test aside, and
take several slow, deep breaths. Concentrate on your breathing. Do
this if you notice that you are worrying excessively about one problem,
not reading carefully, or forgetting information you know.
9. PAY
ATTENTION TO THE TEST, not to yourself or others. Don't
waste time worrying, doubting yourself, wondering how others are
doing, blaming yourself, etc. Don't worry about what you should have
done: pay attention to what you can do now.
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