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Many community college students experience some degree of nervousness before an exam. For some, that anxiety can be so intense and overwhelming that it negatively affects how they perform. If this happens to you or someone you care about, there are a number of ways to reduce discomfort and manage anxiety before an important exam.

How to Ease Anxiety Before Taking a Test

1. Prepare Yourself

The more prepared a student is before taking a test, the less anxious they’ll be. Being prepared can entail more than just studying, though. Taking practice tests, discussing exam topics with fellow community college classmates, and getting to the test site early are all excellent ways to help improve feelings of preparedness and reduce anxiety.

2. Get Enough Sleep

Staying up late to cram for an exam is never a good idea. Lack of sleep can affect your judgment, impair your memory, and even increase your anxiety levels. Try your best to get eight hours of sleep the night before the exam. Avoid watching TV or using your smartphone right before bed to improve the quality of your sleep.

3. Eat Well

Nebraska community collegeFuel your body with healthy foods that will power your brain and keep you feeling full while taking your exam. Steer clear of sugary foods and excessive amounts of caffeine. Both these options can intensify anxiety and cause you to experience a sugar crash.

Opt for a pre-exam meal of eggs, walnuts, berries, and leafy greens. Eggs provide high levels of protein and vitamin B12 that helps convert glucose into energy. Leafy greens also contain B12, as well as B6, which is associated with improvements in memory and alertness. Fresh fruit can satisfy your sweet tooth without the crash that follows eating processed sugars.

4. Practice Deep Breathing

According to the American Institute of Stress, deep breathing exercises reduce anxiety and promote a state of calm by increasing the supply of oxygen to your brain and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. Before beginning your test, close your eyes and take three slow, deep breaths, exhaling completely before beginning again. Repeat as needed throughout the exam to calm your nerves.

 

If you’re thinking about attending a technical school, consider Southeast Community College in Lincoln, NE. This college offers more than 50 programs in a wide variety of subjects, including nursing, early childhood education, criminal justice, and business administration. Visit their website to browse the current class catalog or call (402) 471-3333 to speak with a friendly staff member about enrollment.

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