Student Anxiety
What I have noticed is that the student's level of anxiety tends to affect their performance and experience as well. I have had student's get so anxious while taking a test, that they forget almost everything that they have studied or learned. Then, the student gets frustrated and discouraged. Other than supplying them with information/tips to help with anxiety and offer support, does anyone know any other techniques to help student's dealing with performance anxiety?
Hi Gloria,
You make a good point about getting the students to relax and get settled into the course. This is so important especially for those students that have not been in school for a while. They need to see that they can be successful in the course and that they understand what the requirements are.
Gary
My expectations are always told at the first meeting. However, I realize that these students are still not comfortable with learning. The first written work is done as a result of a question that I ask. This first assignment helps them understand the questions that may come up in quizes or the final. It also helps those who are coming for the first time to begin to relax.
I try very hard to give review sheets and make reviews fun. While I was in school I suffered from test anxiety from time to time. I want students to learn as much as they can when they are with me.
Hi Stephen,
This is a great strategy. Anything you can do to reduce test anxiety plus prepare students to get ready for the test is greatly appreciated by them. This way they know they can have success on the test as a result of what they have learned through the playing of the game.
Gary
I have students that really get worried before a test. I try to play a game that involves a review for the test. It seems to calm them down and laugh a little bit. I see students do better on test while doing this then just a standard "boring" review. I try to get my students involved as much as possible.
Hi Jennifer,
Good strategies for keeping students engaged and focused on their progress. The immediate feedback is so important to them as you know. Many students leave college if they feel like they aren't being kept informed of their progress. Even if they aren't doing well immediate feedback helps them plan how they can be successful and helps them to continue to feel a part of the class.
Gary
When I lecture/demo- I try to make sure the students know exactly what they need to know.... not only for today's class, but also for the tests. I give them specific examples or say if you see this on a quiz it will be in a matching answer format, etc.
And then, the day before the test, I try to help them by letting them know specially what areas they need to study.
Test day I give them a time limit and require that there be no talking, etc.
If they need a spanish/english dictionary, etc. then that's ok.
I walk around durning the tests and check up on them, and find ways to calm their nerves if possible.
when time is up- and I see some that are struggling- I collect the tests, and ask them to come back after class so we can finish the test together.
A lot of times the anxiety is in what their grade is, so I have the grades available ASAP during office hours so they can know.
I have found that first acknowledging their fears and allowing them to voice their concerns helps to open their thinking to new stragegies for success. First I feel it is important to give positive expectations of the student, such as I know you want to do well and I also have faith that you can do well. Sometimes exploring new study stragegies with the student can give them the courage to keep their motivation going and can actually help them to see improved performance.
One thing that I do to help students deal with anxiety is to make the first quiz and first test easier than I normally would. This gives the students a level of success and confidence that they can build on as the class progresses. I make subsequent quizes and tests gradually more difficult.
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for sharing the test taking strategies with us. The more comfortable we can make our students the lower the level of nerves that they will have. This way they can concentrate more on the test and less on the setting.
Gary
I've had these issues with students too. I try to remind them to have a comfortable testing environment. I mention that they might want to have some things available during testing: pen or pencil and paper to use as scratch paper and to jot things down, a drink, a comfortable chair, turn the phone ringer off, and depending on how they learn, they might want some soft music in the background.
Hi Jennifer,
One of the things I like to do is to give my students sample quizzes so they can see how I format my tests and that they can do better on the tests than they think they can. Also, I give the students a couple of sample questions at the beginning of each test to help them settled down and get control of their nerves. Also, once again they get see that they can do well on the test if they will concentrate on the questions and not let their worries overcome them.
Gary
