For Maryann Bartolo, sleeping, eating and relaxing do not exist in her schedule. But this is not by choice. It is because of test anxiety.

The 23-year-old business management major’s finance midterm caused her academic strain for more
than two weeks.

“It was pretty hectic. (I spent) long hours at the library and frustrating study sessions of figuring out
how to solve the finance problems,” said Bartolo.

Test-related anxiety, no matter how extreme, is not something new among college students. Learning to cope with this nervousness may put them more at ease when facing another test. Researchers at the Center for Personal and Professional Development at the University of Missouri at Rolla explain that there are two causes for such anxiety over tests, one is not enough studying, and two, harboring a negative attitude.

“I always over-think what will be on the test. The worst thing that happened was when I blanked out,” said Preston Yip, 22, senior business management major.

The Missouri study also said that the realization of not studying enough could result in panic, which then creates an even greater distraction from doing well.

Lack of studying, seems like it could be an easy fix by just designating more time for preparation, but James Sandkuhle, 23, senior business management major, begs to differ.

“It’s trying to find the time, and even though there is time, you just have to have a lot of discipline, which I don’t have,” Sandkuhle said.

Albert Angelo, a health educator at Student Health Services (SHS), suggests allowing yourself more time, and to not stress over things that you cannot control.

Before a test, Doris Fendt feels what she calls moderate anxiety, which consists of being alert and sharp enough to do well, but not too excited that it hinders her thinking or recall process. Her cure for test anxiety is extreme preparation by studying solo and at her own pace.

“This way I am not tempted to compare myself to others who might be further along in their studies,” said Fendt, a 41-year-old psychology junior.

She has learned to cope with this problem by mastering the technique of minimizing the test-taking stigma.

Staying relaxed during an exam can help hinder anxiety.

“If you’re anxious then you tend to make more mistakes or take longer with the test because your mind is distracted and unfocused,” said Alex Barrett, 25, and an English literature senior.

Students pay for 10 hours of counseling in their tuition fees, which can be a coping method to test stress, according to Kamal Harb, a health educator at SHS.

Most test anxiety can be prevented through several ways, according to Freedom From Fear, a nonprofit mental illness advocacy organization. Getting plenty of sleep, refraining from drug/alcohol use, allowing plenty of time, and partaking in breathing exercises are just some of the methods to help.

“My remedies for test anxiety are working out, eating less junk food, lessening the caffeine intake, and not cramming,” said Bartolo.

One thing to remember is to be on the lookout for creeping unrealistic expectations.

“Having expectations leaves one at risk for disappointment. The prospect of disappointment incubates anxiety. There is no such thing as consequences,” said Barrett.

All of Bartolo’s intense studying looks like it paid off for her in the end.

“After the test, I walked out feeling confident about my progress and determined that I had received a passing grade,” said Bartolo.