The honeymoon period in the semester is over, as most students are facing their first round of tests.
“It seems like this is the time in the semester when everyone’s tests hit at the same time, which changes the entire atmosphere on and off campus,” said Jacob Dorsett, a junior in business.
Not only do these tests involve long hours in the library, late nights, and excessive amounts of caffeine, but the pressure of these tests can lead to what is known as test anxiety, a real phenomenon among students.
“There are two different categories, the first being a diagnosable disability that is a part of a generalized anxiety disorder,” said Dr. Kathryn Jarvis, the coordinator of Academic Support. “Most students we see fall into the second category which is stress about tests because they haven’t done well on tests and they’re nervous and scared about the next one.”
True test anxiety differs from the expected nervous anticipation that precedes a test. According healthline.com, test anxiety is “a condition characterized by persistent anxiety in test situations that is severe enough to seriously interfere with performance.”
There are Auburn students who personally suffer from test anxiety.
Students who do experience this type of anxiety may experience several different symptoms. These symptoms can include: rapid heartbeat, dry mouth, stomach ache, dizziness, and sweating.
Jarvis siad that if a student has these types of uncontrollable symptoms over and over, they should look into talking with a professional about it.
“It’s terrible when I try to take a test,” said Brittney Barlow, a junior in early childhood education. “I can’t concentrate on my test because I am so worked up when I actually sit down to take the test.”
As a whole, most of Auburn students have not been diagnosed with test anxiety, but there is still tangible stress tied to academic performance, especially test grades.
“There is just so much pressure,” said Barlow.
Auburn’s Academic Support center offers counseling and coaching for those who deal with this kind of stress. The professionals have several suggestions on how to minimize anxiety going into, during, and even after a test.
Overly preparing, studying a little bit everyday, meeting with the teacher, learning the material thoroughly, and finding out as much as possible about the test are a few of the recommendations from Academic Support.
Also, from a medical standpoint, getting enough sleep during a stressful week of tests is very important, even though many students cram into the wee hours of the morning.
“A lack of sleep and the stress from school work all have a direct impact on the body’s immune system,” said Dr. Fred Kam, the director of the Auburn University Medical Clinic.
Tests prove stressful for students, but they can also be stressful on the professor’s end as well. Creating, proctoring, and grading hundreds of tests comes with its own kind of stress.
