Test anxiety can be crippling if you don’t have any strategies in place to cope with it during assessment season. Here are three ways in which you can pave the way for a balanced mood and optimal confidence levels when you need to put pen to paper to prove your academic prowess:
3 WAYS TO REDUCE TEST ANXIETY IN THE LEAD-UP TO ASSESSMENT SEASON
1. Take care of your brain
A tired, undernourished brain cannot do its best work, and is prone to getting anxious as well. Be sure to get enough rest, enjoy a balanced diet and keep hydrated while you study.
Steer clear of processed meat, fried food, refined cereals, candy, pastries, and high-fat dairy products. Instead, load up on fresh vegetables and fruit, complex carbohydrates, and lean proteins. Foods rich in zinc, such as cashew nuts and egg yolks, as well as those containing high doses of omega-3 fatty acids, such as sardines and salmon, have been linked to lowered anxiety levels.
2. Ask for help when you need it
At Abakus Enrichment, we understand that it can be difficult to ask for help. However, if you feel that you need extra support to do your best in an academic subject like maths, biology and science, it’s always best to get it. We have assisted countless high-school learners between Grade 8 and 12 to do their best in these subjects, so we can attest to the fact that extra classes take the pressure off.
3. Plan ahead
If there is one thing that can really fuel anxiety, it’s having too little time to prepare for a test or assessment. This is why it is important to plan ahead so you have plenty of time to work through all the material you need to master before your test. Draw up a schedule, and stick to it while you study for best results.
There you have it – three ways in which learners can reduce test anxiety in the lead-up to assessment season. Check back soon for more insider advice on striving for optimal academic results in 2021 and beyond. In the meantime, feel free to get in touch to learn more about the extra tutoring classes we offer in maths, biology and science in Stellenbosch and Paarl.