With finals coming up, students can become stressed about balancing tests with other life responsibilities. The Health Center offers tips to help ease the pain of test anxiety.
Some signs and symptoms of test anxiety include restlessness, queasy stomach, sweaty palms, and a racing heart.
Stephany Reyes, a 21-year-old psychology major, says it’s difficult for her to focus throughout the day because of having to balance work and school.
“Since I work in retail, I don’t get home from work until late at night and stay up until 4 a.m. most of my nights studying,” said Reyes. “I sleep for about five hours and then wake up to work on my actual homework.”
Moorpark College Health Educator, Allison Barton states that it is not useful to stay up all night cramming for tests.
“What we wanna make sure is that students do not pull an all-nighters, it is not effective,” said Barton. “It is better to sleep than to not do that.”
Students should be aware of what the Health Center can provide them for test anxiety.
To help with reducing test anxiety, it is important to have a good breakfast, to get a full night’s sleep, and to exercise to the keep the body in motion.
Gema Ortiz, a 19-year-old business major, says she looks forward to completing all her courses successfully in order to get some decent rest once the semester ends.
“I don’t mind staying up late at night studying because I’m used to it due to my bad sleeping routine,” said Ortiz. “I just wish to sleep in a lot this break to make up for these long nights that come my way.”
Barton suggests that one of the ways to help ease test anxiety is by parking far away from classes.
“If you can, park far away from your class and walk to it,” said Barton. “Or get a little bit of exercise.”
Another useful tip for students who have test anxiety is to read the test all the way through. According to Barton, she says go with your first choice. Pick the questions you know first, then mark up the questions you don’t know the answer to and go back to those questions at the end.
“Sometimes questions later on will jog memory of the earlier ones,” said Barton.
Students are encouraged to practice mindfulness to help ease their minds. Mindfulness Training is offered on Mondays at 1 p.m. and on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. in Fountain Hall 112A.
The Health Center, it is located in the Administration Building, Room 111. To make an appointment call (805) 378-1413. The Health Center is open Monday and Thursday from 8 a.m, to 5 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
