5 Ways to Cure Test Anxiety

It's perfectly normal to feel anxious and nervous about a forthcoming examination. Being put under pressure and finally seeing if all the hard work you've put in is going to pay off is a scary thought, and a terrifying experience. If you feel this way about exams, you're not alone, and there are some simple measures you can take to cure - or at least reduce - your test anxiety

. 1. Revise - and thoroughly! For most students, this technique has the potential to be the most effective of all. Naturally, the only way to feel confident and well-learned about what it is you're being tested on is to study and learn it. Admittedly, this takes some effort, but you'll be thankful when walking into the exam feeling calmer. There's nothing worse than regretting not putting in doing as well as you could've done, so make sure this isn't going to be a problem for you by preparing in advance.

2. Have some self-confidence! If you want to do well, it won't help your case in the slightest if you don't believe that you can. Only when you begin to think positively about what you can achieve rather than what you might not achieve will you be able to perform to the best of your ability. Bear in mind that you are what you think you are; you achieve what you want and feel you can achieve - providing you've put sufficient effort in beforehand. Highlight in your mind what elements of the exam topic you have covered well, and cite as many positives as you can.

3. Eat right. It sounds stupid, but eating the right food can make a real difference to how you feel about yourself. Make sure you consume a nutritious diet for at least a few days before your exam, as this will give you the energy you need to power you through. Feeling lethargic drags you down, and will inevitably lower your concentration levels. Eat plenty of carbohydrates, fruit and veg. Avoid fatty, sugary foods that will give only short-term energy leading up to the 'big day'. Instead, have a few sweets before going into the actual exam to give you that quick concentration boost.

4. Sleep well the night before. We've already touched upon the importance of being well rested, but energy levels really do have a considerable impact on how you feel. Tiredness makes everything seem worse than it really is, and your chances of exam success are not exempt from this rule. Get a bare minimum of 8 hours the night before the test to make sure this threat doesn't materialize into a reality.

5. Use relaxation techniques. Ten minutes before entering the exam, try to relax yourself with deep breathing and positive thinking. Avoid being around negative people who are going on about how badly the test is going to go, and instead, absorb yourself in thoughts of how it will go according to plan. Tense your muscles and then relax them to achieve a state of calm. Hopefully, this will eradicate the worst of your test anxiety.