Morning Routines that Beat Test Anxiety

If you have a big test coming up, you may be missing out on the best study tool yet: a solid morning routine. Morning is a great time to get a head start on reducing test anxiety. Here's how:

After you hit the alarm, stretch! Animals and babies stretch when they wake up, but somewhere along the way, many of us adults forgot how to have a good stretch. Stretching out the muscles after waking up can help you feel more alert and less anxious throughout your day.

Think positively. After a good stretch, and while you are getting ready for the day, think about your upcoming test and picture yourself taking the exam calmly. If you've had bad testing experiences in the past, remind yourself that this is a new day and you don't have to be a slave to the same patterns.

Review your study plan before heading out the door. This is vital! If you have time to study in the morning, then do so. But because most of us are too busy getting out the door to focus on studying, a quick glance over your study plan will remind you of what needs to be done. Check your calendar. Have you scheduled time to study today? Will you need to take your study materials with you so you can study during lunch? Reviewing your study plan can help you beat procrastination and stay on track.

Set your alarm 30 minutes early if necessary. As the test date comes closer, you may begin to have those waves of anxiety and begin to doubt your readiness. If this happens, you may want to go to bed a little earlier than normal, so that you have time to wake up early and study for about 30 minutes before your day begins. For some people, morning can be their most productive time because the rest of the household is quiet and there are no distractions.

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