(I’m currently a freshman in college - it’s my first semester, obviously)
I’ve always gotten nervous during tests…but for whatever reason, college exams make me lose my mind.
I have an extremely good study routine; all I do is study until I know the material like the back of my hand…I also don’t procrastinate when it comes to studying (I give myself a week or so of 3 - 4 hour study sessions a day…depending on how long the test is)… but when it comes down to actually taking tests, I draw a blank on everything that I’ve learned and end up getting a grade that I’m not completely satisfied with… I guess I overthink the questions to the point where they don’t make make sense anymore?
Any ideas on how to deal with this? I’m putting in more than the necessary amount of work/studying yet my GPA is STILL taking a nosedive just because I’m being mental about tests! D:
You are working really hard to prepare for exams! I know you said you have an extremely good study routine, but oftentimes students develop study habits that are not particularly effective and are time-consuming. In college I was like you–I would spend huge amounts of time every day for a week studying for tests. Then I’d do okay but not great given how much studying I was doing. What I discovered is that it what WHAT I was studying rather than how long I studied that was the problem. My mistake is that I would spend lots of time rereading the textbook and my class notes. I did use flashcards, but usually just to memorize definitions from the book. Unfortunately, my exams weren’t testing me on definitions! I would look over study guides, but not fill them out because I was too busy rereading everything.
If that sounds somewhat like your study technique, then I recommend you learn about effective retrieval practice, the power of spaced learning, and elaboration techniques. For example, you could be making concept maps to practice “the big picture” (rather than separate flashcards). You can also try asking questions about how two concepts are similar and different. These techniques take more effort, but they will make you feel much more prepared when you walk into the exam. I have been making my students use these techniques and the ones who struggle with feeling anxious before exams have told me in a survey that they now feel much less anxious and feel like they know the basics of everything on the test (instead of drawing a blank like in the past). Here is an amazing blog that will give you information about how to improve your studying: http://www.learningscientists.org/blog?category=For+Students Here’s a specific discussion of spaced practice (with links to retrieval practice and elaboration): http://www.learningscientists.org/blog/2016/7/21-1?rq=spaced%20practice
Be prepared to feel a bit frustrated as you change how you study. These techniques require more mental energy so they will feel hard and maybe not very fun. However, if you try to change, you will see huge benefits. Good luck!!!
I think you’re overdoing it a bit. With time spent studying, you eventually hit a law of diminishing returns, there is only so much your brain can really absorb in one sitting. My advice is take some breaks, move around, go outside, and make sure to be well rested.
If you feel you know the material, then put it away at some point the night before the exam and make sure you get some rest. Go for a short vigorous walk and get away from your desk if it is a safe time of day to do so. Don’t get too hopped up on caffeine before the test. Go online and learn some self-relaxation and self-talk strategies so that you don’t psych yourself out.