When Studying Doesn't Help Test Anxiety

Most people who suffer from test anxiety find relief when they feel they have studied enough for the exam, because procrastination and feeling ill prepared contribute significantly to stress. But if studying well doesn't seem to help your test anxiety, you may need extra help.

Test anxiety has uncomfortable symptoms that often dramatically interfere with test performance. These symptoms include increased heart rate, digestive symptoms (like nausea, diarrhea, cramping, heartburn, etc.), jittery feelings, sweating, shaking, and shallow breathing. Many of these symptoms result from a heightened "fight or flight" biological response to the test as a perceived threat.

If test anxiety is a significant problem for you, it may be helpful to consider the psychological or environmental origins in your own life. What has happened in your life to cause you to view tests as a threat? When do you first remember experiencing test anxiety? What happened before that first experience that may have affected you? What messages about tests did you receive from your childhood teachers and/or parents? How might these messages have affected your view of yourself, and what about your perceptions may be false or inaccurate and thus possible for you to overcome?

There may be psychological "lies" attached to your anxiety - lies about how test performance reflects your self-worth and value (rather than merely your mastery of the topic at hand, or ability to reason through the topic). Test anxiety is often rooted in perfectionism, low self-esteem, lack of confidence, negative self-talk, and previous bad experiences. If test anxiety persists, you may want to seek out a trusted counselor, minister, or advisor to help you wade through some of the underlying issues involved. You may also want to keep a journal or a log of the thoughts that run through your mind when you feel anxious.

With some introspection and guidance, you may be able to subdue the "inner demon" of test anxiety. But it won't happen by itself - this type of personal growth takes commitment and courage, often with the support of others.

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