CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY

Does anyone know how to calm down your anxieties before you take this final? Since having test anxiety can be very distracting while you're trying to study or even while you're taking the test itself. Open to any tips:)

I also have test anxiety, it's not fun. Usually just forcing myself to do lots of practice problems and having a routine (eating breakfast, sitting in the front, having a certain pen/calculator, etc whatever works for you) helps give me some comfort so I can relax some at least. Good luck and know you're not alone

Don't study ten minutes before the final because psychologically you're telling yourself that you don't know the material well enough. Be prepared and be confident in your preparation. Some deep breaths before you enter the exam room helps too.

On the day of the final don't study. Take some time (not much, I imagine, since it's in the morning) to just relax. Don't think about chem until it's in front of you.

These are some great tips!

Some things I would add:

1) If you ever run into a question you have no idea how to tackle, think about the concept it's trying to test. Try to note anything that you remember about that concept. Usually that tells yourself that you do know something. It just may take some time for you to figure out what to do.
2) If you ever feel the jitters, take a break for a couple minutes and do something you absolutely love, like listening to your favorite song. If during the test, skip the question, and come back to it later. Whenever I take exams and I'm not sure what the answer is to a question, I put down my best guess, mark it, and move on.
3) Meditation is great. It helps calm the nerves and reminds the self that we are all human, and no matter what happens, we will still survive and live on. Although exams are important, if we look back 10-20 years later, I doubt we will remember these exams and the dread that came with them.
4) Call your friends or family members before the exam. Tell them you're nervous, and hopefully, they will provide you some reassuring words/boost your confidence.
5) More academic related things...practice does make perfect. And, just as Whitney mentioned, having a routine does help with the nerves, as you get used to tackling chemistry concepts in a structured manner.

Good luck, all!

Something as simple as focusing on each breath slowly going in and out works wonders

One tip I have is to not talk about the material and what you do and don't know right before the test. You're not going to learn anything in just five minutes but you can psych yourself out.

Rehan Chinoy 1K wrote:Don't study ten minutes before the final because psychologically you're telling yourself that you don't know the material well enough. Be prepared and be confident in your preparation. Some deep breaths before you enter the exam room helps too.

I've always been someone who studies to the very end and reading that kind of made me realize that I subconsciously stress myself more for the exams. Even for test I know i'm prepared for I can't help but worry a little about them. However, I do have some ways that help me ease the stress and that is giving myself 1-2 hours of relaxation or doing something that helps me relax (ex.swimming) before I do some studying. That then helps ease and put me in the right mind space to do some studying.

I usually listen to music before the exam and try not to think about it. Also, if I know the material well, I am not that nervous. So, yeah practising does help.

I used to be on Cross Country team back in my high school years, so I will tell you what I used to do back in my high school days. For me, the best way to calm myself down is to really think about all of the practice problems I have done and all of the preparations I have done. I tend to think, "If, I have done all of these works, I am sure I can do this just fine." Of course, I understand that this always does not work, so at times, I do what I enjoy a lot. I sing at times really loudly, I play video games to change the mood up a bit, it all depends on the person. Overall, there are many ways, but at the end of the day, worrying about a test at 1 AM will not help you. If you studied, I am confident that you can take any test and do really well on it. I totally understand that all of the pressures and stress really does come at the last minute, but I hope you know that you can always believe in your work and effort!

Doing practice problems usually helps me for tests. I will also say that jitters before the first test are definitely worse than following tests as you have less of an idea of what to expect. I would just prepare as best as you can and use your experience with the first test to help you study for following exams.

I've always been one to take walks as a part of my studying process. I find it can be helpful in relaxing me, especially when I've been studying for hours at a time. There have been plenty of studies which have revealed the mental and physical benefits of even just a twenty minute stroll. Walking increases blood-flow in the brain, boosts mood, and has been shown to help reduce anxiety. In my experience, walking calms me and allows me to better put everything in perspective. At times, especially around finals, I find that my work feels 'all-consuming', but a walk always helps me to reset and realize that, although exams are important, it often doesn't have as much importance as I often find myself thinking it does. There's more to life than the next test. At the end of the day, all you can do is your best, and walks allow me to reset a bit and get back to my studies more clear-headed than before.

I find a few things helpful when it comes to easing some test anxieties. Getting exercise in any form whether it be doing a quick set of jumping jacks or going on a run is usually really helpful in calming me down. I also like to rewrite my notes and make sure I understand everything very clearly as It gives me another opportunity to process the information.

Definitely make sure to get enough sleep the night before. Lack of sleep could lead to even more stress as you're too tired to perform at your best during the test leading to more test anxiety.

Personally, I just think of the test on the grand scheme of things. If I know the topic, then I will pass. If I don't , then it is on me to study for the test more rather than worry.

I struggle a lot with anxiety before a test so I'll definitely be trying out some of these tips!

Anxiety is something I struggle with too! I like to reread and practice problems during the week to make sure I am prepared for the test!

Study, then realize that you've been preparing for this day all quarter, you've got this! Remember to breathe and take care of yourself.

Honestly the advice that an upperclassman gave me, doing a few problems a night(like 5-10, or build up to it), keeps me the loop during discussion and lecture. Simply start applying now so that the test seems less intimidating and you understand the lecture more when new material presents itself.

Make sure you study repeatedly over a long period of time. Don't cram the night before or that will contribute to your anxieties. Sleep and eat well, and take deep breathes to calm yourself down. Before the test, it is best not to think about it at all to avoid starting up any unnecessary anxiety. When studying, keep it calm without any music or distractions to help create the memory of calmness when taking the test in the future.

When studying, is there a schedule anyone here has for breaks? I cannot focus as long as I used to lol and can't figure how long I should study for, when to take breaks, and for how long. Does anyone have tips on how to manage time better while studying?

I think many people experience test anxiety and that's okay! I usually cope by doing something I enjoy before a test such as playing piano or reading a book. I'm still a first year though so my experience is also limited. I think the best strategy is to simply be prepared. If you feel ready, that should help calm your nerves.

Definitely start studying a while before the exams, and do as many practice problems as you can! Working out problems really helps solidify concepts and makes you prepared. Do not try cramming the night before; it never helps.

I usually take a bath, a nap, or listen to music. I don't overwhelm myself with studying because instead of learning or reviewing, all I'm doing is stressing myself. However, everyone is different and this may not work for you. Try it out though and see what happens.

I recommend not studying right before the test starts because it will make you more nervous and also psych you out on the material. I always tell myself that I’ve studied the material well and it helps me feel prepared.

I personally feel the same way, but I have found several ways to help lessen my anxiety before finals. I always make sure to take breaks in between topics so my mind won't feel so crammed with information, and I like to start studying a little bit in advance to spread out the work. I also make sure to not do cram review sessions the day of the test so I don't freak out and forget something. I usually take time that day before the test to socialize, exercise, eat, and just give myself some calmness.

As many of us do, I also struggle with stress/jitters before a large exam. Some of the strategies to cope with it that I have found useful are:
1. Take a break from the material and do something active. I personally like going to the gym or running. It helps me get my mind off of the problems at hand and channel my nervous energy into something productive.
2. Make a review card of just the main few concepts and takeaways from each section. Having a section of the class narrowed down to one notecard allows me to focus on the big concepts, rather than the minute details, which are far more numerous. I only review these few overarching concepts the day of the exam.
3. Listen to calming music while reviewing the material. I often find myself working myself up into a panic about the exam material but having a rhythm helps me remained focused on the material at hand, rather than the quantity of it.
4. Lastly, I always tell myself before I walk into an exam that I have been working hard all term, doing all of the work along the way. This makes me feel more confident in what I know and that I will be able to perform to the best of my ability, whatever that is.

I also struggle with nerves before a big exam, some of the things I do to prepare include:
1.Getting a good night's sleep before the day of!
2. Having a healthy breakfast
3. Read the material right before class so it is fresh in my mind (and obviously study lots beforehand).
4. Tell myself how I have worked hard all quarter, ect to get to this point and I will do great! Maintain your confidence.

Hi, I have problems with severe test anxiety. What I've found that helps me is taking a beta blocker known as propanolol. It's really good for physical anxiety symptoms. Like for me personally, I get really shaky and I have trouble concentrating to the point where I have to keep re-reading the question because I'm so freaked out that I can't even read the question. It's prescription only though, my doctor prescribed it to me (also I'm not a doctor yet, this is just my personal experience. ask your doctor first). It's made a world of a difference for me. I can actually focus on the exam now!

Before the test, you definitely want to make sure you are in the right head space. If you know you have an exam coming up, make an effort to get sleep and eat a good breakfast. Give yourself adequate time to study in advance so you do not feel like you are cramming the night before. Some light review is fine, but you should be familiar with the content the night before the exam.

During the test, if you find yourself struggling, do not dwell on the concept you don't understand. Take a breath, move on, and revisit the idea later. Usually this helps me, because after working through all the problems you do understand, the one you weren't getting will usually click easier.

One of the most helpful things I've learned over the past couple years on how to ease jitters before exams is to not discuss the content or try to cram in last minute material right before taking the test. Instead, I like to take deep breathes in order to calm myself down and get myself in the right headspace.

Usually to calm myself, I like to do something that is fun for me. Either that be I watch a show or go to the gym just to get a breather and forget about all the anxieties. Goodluck

I think the best way to relax and get rid of the nerves is to just close your eyes and breathe, just focus on good and positive memories and experiences will enhance your mood making you happier, the happier you are the more willing you are to focus and do something, it will also help clear your mind of any negative thoughts pertaining to your current situation and anxiety.

Something that helps me calm down is to make sure I am prepared well in advance. It helps to space out studying throughout the week, or even two weeks, before the test. This allows you to go at a slower and more comfortable pace without any, or at least reduced, time pressure.

What works for me is to study the concepts that I struggle with, just look over the ones I know just to make sure I have them down, but not to psych myself out studying until the last minute. I tend to overstudy, and I've learned over the years that if I take the time just before a test to just relax and not look over the material, I do much better on my tests. When it comes to actually taking the test, just take your time and read the questions slowly and carefully which will allow you to process it better and help you figure out how to go about solving it. If you can't solve a question, just make your best guess, move on, and come back to it if you have time. Just relax, I know you will be fine!! :)

If you are nervous for any test/quiz/final, whatever it may be, just stay calm. If you pay attention in class, the problems are likely not much different. They may seem different or like you’ve seen them for the first time, but the professor gave you all the skills needed to solve the problem. Trust your gut and you can problem solve. You’ve got this!

I would recommend going over problems that have gave you some difficulty and try to understand why those steps are being done. This will let yourself know that you not only know how to solve it, but also why. I would also recommend taking some time off from the books and trying to do something else that you enjoy.

Getting a good night's sleep is huge! If you've been studying for hours, just go to bed!! Give your brain some time to process everything in the meantime.

Definitely get a lot of sleep! If you are staying up late studying, you are losing sleep and are most likely not really taking in all the information in the later hours anyways. Also remember to sit back and take a deep breath any time you're feeling overwhelmed.

Also, most importantly, put it all in perspective! I literally just failed Test 1 an hour ago and although it sucks, LIFE GOES ON.

I have this issue and it happened today for a quiz. Honestly just think of it of an assessment of how much you know and try not to anticipate questions having the purpose of confusing you. If you know things, you have the opportunity to demonstrate it. I wish I would have thought of it this way.

I took Quiz 1 after running into the room 3 minutes late and I was panicking, but I calmed down and thought out my answers. I would say that the best thing to do is review everything that you need on the syllabus: pen, non-graphing calculator, etc. If something will be given, don't try to remember exactly what the formulas were. Don't try to remember unnecessary information is what I try to do.

The best thing to do is just prepare as much as you can, and remind yourself that you've done your best. Testing anxiety is the worst, so whenever I get too stressed about it, I just give myself a couple of seconds to stress, and then limit the amount of time I spend worrying over each problem, so that way I don't get bogged down by one.

When I have testing anxiety I try to breathe and bask in the hours of studying and dedication I have put into that test then I try and think about how I will still be myself after the test.

I like to let out a big breath before taking the test to help clear my system of anxiety, and often times I'll chew gum because it helps me focus on the material rather than other small things going around in the room, which also saves time for more work on problems.

Even though we're only required to submit 5 problems from the book as homework, I recommend doing a few more because the concepts we learn can be applied in different contexts and you want to be prepared for any type of question. Also to help with the anxiety, I chew gum while I take a test, idk why but it helps me focus.

Getting a good night's sleep is important and helps me with anxiety before tests.

What eases my anxiety is going through practice problems multiple times to ensure that I fully understand each step and concept. It also helps to take 10-minute study breaks in between to make sure you are not overwhelming yourself with tons of information from the quarter.
Finally, a good thing to remember is that test scores do not equal your value. We are all here to learn and grow as students!

Thank you all, this all really helped.

I usually meditate, and work out. and get a lot of sleep.

Personally, I like to take a step back from everything and just breathe. On any test, just do your best and even though you don't get the results you wanted, it's not the end of the world and numbers don't define you. All you need to do is see what you can improve on and try again next time!

I try to prepare myself as much as possible, and try to get some sleep! Sleep is super important, or try to get little naps here and there so you don't feel like you're lacking.
(lord knows anxiety is a sleep killer).

Its always helpful to get out of studying and do something else for a little like have a snack or go exercise!

Most effective studying is done over many weeks, not pulling an all night session

I find it useful to take a nap before a midterm or final. especially when they are night midterms. To be honest after studying for weeks (like I do for chemistry exams), I can be really distracted and nervous before an exam. By taking a nap, I recharge my brain. But really you will need to find what works for you, remember at the end of the day it is just a grade and it is not reflective of your future success.

I'm late at responding to this, but I know for this midterm I told myself I knew all the material before going in. I was able to successfully complete a practice exam prior to the official exam. Do some easy problems and just boost that confidence. Controlling your breaths also helps control jitters.

Chem_Mod wrote:These are some great tips!

Some things I would add:

1) If you ever run into a question you have no idea how to tackle, think about the concept it's trying to test. Try to note anything that you remember about that concept. Usually that tells yourself that you do know something. It just may take some time for you to figure out what to do.
2) If you ever feel the jitters, take a break for a couple minutes and do something you absolutely love, like listening to your favorite song. If during the test, skip the question, and come back to it later. Whenever I take exams and I'm not sure what the answer is to a question, I put down my best guess, mark it, and move on.
3) Meditation is great. It helps calm the nerves and reminds the self that we are all human, and no matter what happens, we will still survive and live on. Although exams are important, if we look back 10-20 years later, I doubt we will remember these exams and the dread that came with them.
4) Call your friends or family members before the exam. Tell them you're nervous, and hopefully, they will provide you some reassuring words/boost your confidence.
5) More academic related things...practice does make perfect. And, just as Whitney mentioned, having a routine does help with the nerves, as you get used to tackling chemistry concepts in a structured manner.

Good luck, all!

thanks, I need to do this next time.

I like to think of doing tests as doing hw in my room

I would say to just talk yourself through a process that calms you down step by step. Make sure you are prepared with your materials beforehand to alleviate stress.

abby_hagen wrote:The best thing to do is just prepare as much as you can, and remind yourself that you've done your best. Testing anxiety is the worst, so whenever I get too stressed about it, I just give myself a couple of seconds to stress, and then limit the amount of time I spend worrying over each problem, so that way I don't get bogged down by one.

This was very helpful, thank you.

I wish to study the midterm for the final, does anyone know if we get it back? Or do we need to meet with our tutor to see it temporarily?

I am sure Lavelle and our TA's will cover this in class next week; however, as far as I know, we will get our midterms back before the final and be able to study them without a tutor.

I always get really bad anxiety during test week to the point where I get sick and throw up or am constantly nauseous. Anyone have ideas for how to help while also being able to study?

Personally I like to meditate and go over breathing exercises to get myself focused on something else

Liliana Aguas 3G wrote:I always get really bad anxiety during test week to the point where I get sick and throw up or am constantly nauseous. Anyone have ideas for how to help while also being able to study?

You could try meditating and planning little study breaks to look forward to. Also, try to think about tests in the past that you have really stressed about and how little they affected any aspect of your life in the grand scheme of things.

Give yourself enough study time before the final, and therefore before the final just remember how much you studied for it. Taking deep breathes helps calm me down, get enough sleep and you will feel more confident before the final and after it.

505106414 wrote:

Liliana Aguas 3G wrote:I always get really bad anxiety during test week to the point where I get sick and throw up or am constantly nauseous. Anyone have ideas for how to help while also being able to study?

You could try meditating and planning little study breaks to look forward to. Also, try to think about tests in the past that you have really stressed about and how little they affected any aspect of your life in the grand scheme of things.

Thank you so much maybe I will give it a try! And yes I try that but then when it comes to the moment again I can't for some reason :/

Get a good night's sleep. Always helps to give your mind some proper rest

I get test anxiety as well. I recommend not studying at all the day of the final. As terrifying as it sounds it will help you heeled when it comes time for the test. Your brain won’t be overloaded with chem info and it personally helps me feel confident. I try to listen to the same music that I study with the day off or any music that makes me feel happy/is tied to good experiences. Keep around sticky notes with encouraging notes and look at them often to remind yourself that you’ve got this! Most importantly, make sure to hydrate and eat well. Having anxiety while being hungry and/or dehydrated will only worsen the situation. Regardless what happens on the final, you are a very intelligent individual and you deserve to be here. Grades don’t define people so try to not let it consume you. Hope this helps :)

There are many times where anxiety plays a huge factor in a students' performance on an exam, but there are solutions such as studying ahead of time and not cramming for a test, as well as getting enough rest.

I think the best way is to do as many problems as you can, and gain confidence in doing so!

Working out really helps and being overconfident to keep a cool mind

Does anyone know when Test 2 will be passed back?

Malik Oda 1F wrote:Working out really helps and being overconfident to keep a cool mind

Yes! Working out also really helps me with stress. :) Keep your mind and body healthy guys!

Sit, breathe, and tell yourself that you will do well! Even if you don't, I'm sure you tried your best.

I try to avoid any high energy drinks the day of the exam and get a lot of sleep. I also don't think you should study the day of and just relax and pretend you didn't have an exam, which is easier said than done. If all else fails, just remember once you finish the exam you're finally done with the course, and that calms me down right away.

Avoiding caffeine a couple days prior(it's hard i know) helps a lot for me. Also in the nights prior to testing I fall asleep to binaural relaxation beats, basically they mildly hypnotize you to help you relax. Hope you feel better and kill it on all your test!

Get enough sleep the night before and don't cram the day of. Pack all your materials the night before so you don't scramble for it. Eat a good breakfast and give yourself some time to relax before it starts.

Drake Choi_1I wrote:Does anyone know when Test 2 will be passed back?

Your TA should have passed it back by now in discussion.

Yes getting as much studying done as possible is beneficial but remember to take breaks in between so you don't overwhelm yourself.

Do some yoga/meditation, take study breaks as needed (maybe try and get off campus for a little if you can)
The best thing to do before an exam is not cloud your mind. We retain information best when we study refreshed and with a good mindset.

Do something relaxing to calm your mind and clear your thoughts

I just try to go over as much as I can without overwhelming myself; when I start to get stressed I just stop and do something I enjoy to distract myself. sometimes I will come back to studying later if I feel I need it.

Go to the final early so you aren't too flustered. If you have trouble with a question, don't sweat it and just come back to it later. Focus on the test itself rather than the final outcome and just try your best!

Just believe in yourself. Remember you earned your way into this school, have been in this course all year, and can do this!!! Good luck everyone

Test anxiety is a big issue for me and I'd like to thank everyone who gave tips! Here are some of mine (sorry for any repeats):

1. Exercise! Or at least, get moving. I can get incredibly tense while studying, and working out helps relieve that. Keeping your body healthy in general is also helpful in the long run.

2. If you're like me and can get nauseous from anxiety, having a fan blow in your face helps, or you can open a window. Fresh air in general is helpful, which is why people stick their heads out the window when they're car sick.

3. Gum! Gum is an absolute lifesaver for me, and chewing on it helps a lot. Just make sure you chew with your mouth closed, of course!

Good luck, you got this!

Definitely keeping your studying balanced with relaxing so you don't overwork yourself or make yourself any more anxious.

Go over everything we did in lecture and in the textbooks, and you'll be fine.

I honestly find listening to calming music to be really helpful. Listen to some slow and calming music while you study so you do not feel overwhelemd.

I find it helpful to not try to cram too much right before the test, and instead do something relaxing after I've studied enough.

Being able to be in a relaxed state of mind is the best thing you can do for your self, this can be done through reviewing days ahead in advance to avoid cramming and using the last day to do an easy guide over and to relax and have fun, as having fun and laughing is proven to enhance neural pathways and connections.

It's a little late for this final - but for future ones, you can try avoiding or reducing caffeine (if you aren't already). Caffeine definitely increases anxiety. If you need the caffeine to study, make sure you don't take it on an empty stomach.

I would say to be mindful of your breathing. Our breath controls everything and sometimes when we're anxious we don't breathe as clearly. I find that slowing my inhales and exhales really helps me ground myself and remember that school is not the end all be all.

It helps to take 10 minutes before the exam to focus and breathe and just sit. It's very calming and helpful to remember you're more than a test grade.

I think it's super helpful to get to the exam site early to habituate yourself to the room. It can be off-putting to be in a new room without being familiar with it. I usually go an hour early to sit just scrolling through my phone or meditating. It makes when the test gets put out less scary.

I have test anxiety when it comes to chem, I suggest just breathing and doing problems you are confident on and then moving onto ones that are challenging I find this to be very helpful.

Always study like you are genuinely learning for fun and not for a test (but be serious). While taking the exam, don't see it as an exam, but as a homework problem thinking you are able to just spill out your ideas... you don't need to be perfect/cookie cutter when answering or thinking about the problem. Always breathe and just think its a test, not life and death, and in the overall picture, it will not affect your future too much :)

Try to control your breathing between questions, it will slow your heartrate and calm you down!

Make sure to start studying a lot in advance so that you have time to do all the practice problems! In my experience, just reading the textbook and doing a few problems isn't enough to really solidify what I've learned, but once I do a ton of practice problems, I 'll know exactly what to do and where to start when I see any problem and feel confident on the assessment. Also, I like to keep a note document of all the common mistakes I make when doing practice problems, then go over it right before tests, so I will be confident that I can avoid my common errors.

a ridiculous amount of practice problems.

for me a good self care break helps calm the nerves