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4 Ways to Tackle Test Anxiety

Here are a few ideas to help you overcome feelings of anxiety and conquer upcoming tests

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As quizzes and exams come up throughout your education, it can be easy to start feeling anxious. That anxiety can last for the duration of the exam and sometimes even linger afterward. This is completely normal! If you’re feeling anxious, follow these tips to tackle your test anxiety and succeed!

1. Study early and plan

One of the biggest sources of anxiety is feeling unprepared. Putting a plan in place can prevent you from feeling unprepared.

student reading a book in a library

Make a study plan and set goals to ensure you get the most out of your studying. Then make a study guide that outlines the important concepts you’ve learned, and organize your notes.

Another important factor is setting a specific amount of time each day to spend studying, whether that be for an hour in the evening, 20 minutes in the morning, or both. Find what works best for you! By spreading out your study time over several days, or even a few weeks, you will feel less overwhelmed while studying and retain more information.

2. Seek help

As you study, you will recognize the areas in which you need more help and can begin seeking out course materials, online tutors, or classmates for assistance. Finding resources will help prepare you and decrease test anxiety.

Creating a study group with a friend, a peer, or your gathering group can also prove to be beneficial. Having a study group allows everyone to motivate each another as you review important concepts together.

3. Use your resources

Want to go the extra mile to study and prepare? Here are a few resources that can help you improve your study skills.

  • BYU-Idaho Study Skills Courses : Take free, short courses on how to prepare for exams, take notes effectively, develop thinking skills, cultivate motivation, and more!
  • How To Study : Learn about resources for organization, time management, and other study tips to help you succeed.
  • Test Taking Tips : Find tips for studying, as well as strategies for taking great notes and reducing stress.

You might also try asking a family member, friend, instructor, or classmate for their best study tips!

4. The Lord will help you

student praying
The best resource you have to help you is the Lord. As you invite Him into your life through prayer and scripture study, He will help guide you toward success. Elder Jeffery R. Holland taught, “God is anxiously waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can’t if you don’t pray, and He can’t if you don’t dream. In short, He can’t if you don’t believe.” 1
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Jeffrey R. Holland, “Terror, Triumph, and a Wedding Feast” (Brigham Young University devotional, Sept. 12, 2004), speeches.byu.edu

Everything important to us is important to God. A test might seem insignificant for God’s help, but that’s not true! Pray for help, and as long as you have done your part to prepare and study, He will help you.

Hard work brings blessings!

Get plenty of sleep the night before your exam. Then, eat a healthy breakfast the next morning, review your study guide, and say a prayer. You can do this!