Five Proven College Test Strategies

The difference between a Zen-like test experience3. Relax.
and an anxiety-ridden test experience is pretty clear.Clear you mind. Close your eyes. Breathe. Get you're
You either know what you're doing, or you don't.favorite song stuck in your head, and let it be the
You either have confidence in you abilities, or yousoundtrack that drowns out the anxiety and distracts
have doubt creeping in and clouding you response toyou into critical thinking. Bring a pillow to class. Wear a
every question.thinking cap. Count backwards starting from the
Test taking doesn't have to be traumatizing. If younumber ten. Do whatever you have to do to get
prepare properly, you can control the apprehension.your mind ready to go. You're going to need your
Here are five proven college test strategies that'llbrain to be tranquil and fully functional.
help you release the stress and focus on the task at4. Anticipate the questions you'll be asked
hand.Figure out what's going to be on the test. Ask
1. Get a good night's rest and eat a good breakfastquestions about the format. Find out what material is
You'd be surprised by how much rest and balancedsupposed to be covered. If you can be strategic
eating can enhance your test performance. You needabout your studying, then you'll save yourself a lot of
to have a clear head and energy to execute. Thattime and hassle.
means no grumbling tummies or weighted eyelids. Get5. Share and exchange knowledge with your
to bed at a decent hour and in some protein in theclassmates
morning. Bring a snack and water bottle if you haveMeet with your classmates and pool together
to, and dress in your pajamas if it'll make you moredifferent areas of expertise. Share what you know
comfortable.and learn from other people. Stick to the facts and
2. Don't cram for your testssave your best ideas and frameworks for your own
Distribute your studying over a period of a few days.blue book. Don't hold out on your study buddies; just
The more time you spend on the material, the moredon't drop every part of your personal take.
it'll stick in your mind. Cramming can lead to greatIf you prepare you'll be fine. Control the variables
successes, but years later, the academic adhesive willinvolved. Make sure you're rested, relaxed, well-fed
have worn off. Put a few days of coating on theand well-read. Meet with your fellow classmates and
strips of information you need to learn, and you'll bedon't cram your study time into just one night. Figure
able to recall trivial college information for years toout what to expect, and you will have nothing to
come.worry about.